A WRONG THAT SHOULD BE RIGHTED.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 598, 7 April 1882, Page 2

A WRONG THAT SHOULD BE RIGHTED.

To the Editor.

Sir, —Mr Henning has oomo down somewhat handsomely on the Wharf Committee re dues. I urn with him in thinking the Committee are not looking after the true interests of the place, but lend too willing , an ear to every self-interested person who comes alori;; with a suggestion. Volunteers though they are, the Committee should honestly and fearlessly do what is for the good of the ratepayers, neither

legislating in favor of themselves, nor allowing themselves to be influenced, to the detriment of the public welfare, by persons who are blind to all interests but their own.

My special object, howevei, in writing is to denounce the Committee's action in importing labor for the repair of the jetty. It really is much too bad, Mr Editor, that preference is given to outsiders, whilst fellow-townsmen—at least equally capable —have actually been without work for weeks. Igo further, and say that not only has an injustice been done to these our fellow-townsmen, but that—as ratepayers and citizens, who have, either directly or indirectly, contributed to the wharf earnings—they have an undoubted and legitimate claim for employment arising from the expenditure of those earnings.

Our worthy Mayor is deservedly well spoken of by all, but, if he will pardon the liberty, I would say that he does not sufficiently exert his influence in the protection of ratepayers. Had he made a determined stand, the present injustice would not have crept in; nor, ngain. as Chairman of the Wiarf Committee, would he have allowed, contrary to the borough's interests, the mutilation of the wharfage dues. Whilst on the subject, I would remark that a Mayor, as the leading man of a borough, should play a leading part, and endeavour during his year of office to distinguish himself by some important un dertaking. To oui present Mayor is afforded an excellent opportunity of signalising himself by the successful inauguration of a substantial dues tarif£,,inwards and outwards, and thereby placing the borough in a financial position to effect great and permanent improvements whenever the present jetty shall require to be further dealt with. Let us hope he will exert himself, and earn the grateful reinembiance of his fellow-townsmen.

To return to the jetty repairs, it is not too late now for righting at least some of the injustice done, so I trust we may yet see employed some of our deserving and efficient

LOCAL TALENT.

Akaroa, April 6.