BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 189, 10 May 1878, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

To (he Editor of the Akaroa Mail

Sib,—A letter appears in your issue of Tuesday last, signed "Burgess," touching on municipal matters. The letter is too one-sided and too sweeping in its condemnation of Councillors as to leave any doubt as to its authorship. The motion tabled which seems to terrify the writer, strikes as far as I know at the want of ability and sincerity of purpose on the part of the Mayor in conducting the business of the Borough. Surely some little knowledge of conducting a meeting is required in one occupying such a position, independent of being able to give some help in considering the various matters brought before them. Is such the case 7 I say, no. I also ask —Has the person occupying the Mayoral chair even done anything for the benefit of tbe f.lace since bis residence here ? Did the ast election for Mayor show in any degree that either candidate was fit for the office ? Did not that election degenerate into an-end against end question, irrespective of the qualifications of the two candidates. And again, at the last election of Councillors, was not Mr Watkins the 11th on the list out of 12 aspirants? I merely say this to show that it does not follow that because Mr Watkins was elected Mayor that he haß the confidence of the Burgesses. With respect* to the late visit of the Premier there is no doubt that his Worship's action towards the Councillors is thoroughly condemned. I would like to make a few remarks on your leader of the 7th inst. The long list of candidates above mentioned refutes your leader which complains of apathy on the part of Burgesses. Your remarks at the close of that election also condemn it. It also condemns itself on account of its offensive tone.

I consider it an insult to all municipal bodies. The portion I allude to is as follows :—" Every locality, however small, possesses its fair share of men of ability, business tact, and honesty of purpose, such as would ensure the confidence of the burgesses but they hold aloof, and will have nothiug to do with municipal affairs, and the result is that others, perhaps far less suitable have to be chosen for the positions which the former presistently decline to fill. This evil acts and reacts. A Council being filled by men of inferior abilities, those of superior qualifications become more and more averse to taking seats beside them, and as a consequence, the City or Borough Council becomes a spectacle for men and angels—a scorn and a reproach to the place for which it iegis lates. We are far from wishing to imply that things have reached such a pass in Akaroa, but, as Bunsby remarks, •' The bearings of these observations lies in the application of 'em." ; " It strikes me that if the above is correct , regarding every locality yoar last remarks,

■'' not wishing to imply that things have reached such a pass in Akaroa," is simply absurd. . The several Councils City and Borough must feel highly complimented on reading the article, In your issue of the 3rd. I also noticed another compliment paid to the Little River Board, something after this stylo, "that in consequence of press of matter you were compelled to hold over tlie report of their meeting, &c. And further on you devote seven inches in column treating of how much capital could !>e made out of farming a species of blue cat.

With this I have done for the present and subscribe myself, Yours, &c, RESIDENT. *