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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]
[introduction]
The most important public body of a municipality is the Borough Council, which levies rates, administers public moneys, and controls various institutions. The public acts of members are often censured in the press, and meet with hostile criticism from the “man in the street,” yet their good works very rarely receive any expression of public approbation or thanks. Despite this capable men often stand for election. In consequence of this public spirit Napier has been fortunate in securing, from time to time, the services of a number of highly-qualified administrators. In this section some of the past members of the Borough Council are referred to; and others are referred to in other sections of the work.