BEHIND THE SHUTTER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 160, 29 January 1878, Page 2

BEHIND THE SHUTTER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE AKAROA MAIL. Sir, —Like "Eavesdropper," I was round about the Borough Council offices that evening, for I had heard rumours of probable trouble; Now, I beg to agree with Crs Meech and WagstafE when they say that the Council should not be made a convenience of, nor councillors transformed into mere hucksters; at the same time there was a want of courtesy and common sense displayed in the disinclination to assist a Government department in carrying out sanitary measures —measures, too, which would sooner or later have been strenuously urged forward by an officer of the Council, viz., the Inspector of Nuisances. The old adages anent " a beggar on horseback," and a man who is " vested with a little brief authority," came into my mind at once, when I heard the puerile utterances of Cr O'Reilly in connection with this subject, and I could not help thinking it were better if a few of the Council imitated the traditional parrot, who said little, but thought a '■ tarnation " lot. As regards the dog collar resolution, it was so foolish that I forbear to speak about it. The treatment, however, of the Town Clerk deserves a rebuke, and, as temperately..as possible, I desire to administer-one. Cr Meech was perfectly right in all- that he said, for he was merely stickling for the strict carrying out of the Act; but his Worship, whose other actions since taking the Mayoral chair have been faultless, made in this case a grave error, and one that, as far as the individual is concerned, amounted to positive injustice. The bond which had been handed in should have been considered, as well as being read over, and, although the tabled notice of motion, unless withdrawn, was bound to have been carried, still, the security demanded, tardy as may have been its finding, should have received the careful consideration of the Council. In omitting this his Worship committed an unintentional error, which I think will be less likely to occur in future if the various items of correspondence are taken, and considered seriatim, instead of the whole batch being read first, and then considered afterwards. —Yours, &c, BURGESS.