THE TOWN HALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 124, 10 July 1880, Page 2

THE TOWN HALL.

To the Editor. Sir, — Ort Saturday evening last I saw at least one representative of the press in the dress-circle at the Christy entertainment, and I am somewhat surprised to observe that no notice whatever has been taken of the fact that at least a dozen men were sitting in the hall below smoking. The smoke rose up very offensively to the dress-circle, where a number of ladies were sitting, and some of them complained to me about it. Placards, saying, “Smoking strictly prohibited,” are hung up all over the hall, but the larrikins smoked all the same, and nobody found fault with them. Who is to'blame ? —I am, &c., Counter-Blast. THE VACANCY IN THE COUNCIL. To the Editor. Sib-—Two gentlemen are before the burgesses as candidates for Mr. Edward Saunders’ vacant seat. Are they going to address us 2 Because I would to know their views on this subject—We have a borough income of about L 1,200. We pay away in salaries—clerk, Ll5O ; engineer, Ll5O : solicitor, LIOO ; foreman, Li 30 ; valuator, L 35 ; collector, Ll 5 - LSBO ! ! for spending L 1,200 ! ! We have a gas account of LIBO to pay besides this, which brings the total departmental slice out of our rates up to L7GO. Supposing our income to be L 2,000 a year, L7OO is a big sum to get rid off in this way, and I would like the candidates just to say in public meeting if they think the figures I have given are what they ought to be, when works that are useful and necessary, cannot be done for want of funds.—l am, &c., Clod-Hopping Ratepayer.