A BACCHANALIAN TOWN COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 143, 6 April 1877, Page 3

A BACCHANALIAN TOWN COUNCIL.

The local paper -writes-: — The Wanganui Town Council will attain a much higher position in (he opinion of the ratepayers when it is purged or' a r< w ly bacchanalian element which has found its way into it, and which manages to lower and degrade its proceedings at nearly every meeting. We cannot understand why the Council should not conduct its proceedings with as much decorum as the Road Boards have conducted theirs ; and it is also a little puzzling why the ratepayers consent to ratuvn certain men. But for the action of the. Councillors who showed their ■spirit last night by leaving the meeting in a body, the Council would sink into utter contempt. Several of the Councillors have falsified every promise. Councillor Henderson placarded himself as in favour of a reduction of the rates ; but the. only time he ever spoke about the rates was when he elegantly told the ■Xj mncil that "if they had a shilling they should chuck it on the streets." This Councillor is entirely out of place. At a recent meeting he went in Bacchi plenus, long r after business had commenced, and demanded that the minutes should be read again, exclaiming— " I stick to Willy Watt" ; while the Mayor, when asked to rule the Councillor nut of order, remarked — ■" Councillor Henderson, you do make me laugh!" Last night Councillor Howe protested against the conduct of certain Couucillors, whom he directly accused of drunkenness, and then ieft the meeting*, followed by Councillors Batnber,li\irrah, andßrownl Councillor Nathan was the principal offender last night, and supported the Mayor's project of«connecting the Lakes, though he "thought — in vino veritas — they ought to have a title. Councillors Sharpe and Laird seem to have lost, every spark of independence, and probably intend cot to offer themselves for re-elfiction. The latter asserts that the water of the Westmere -is as ; pure as that of Virginia, though the analysis of Mr Skey proved the contrary. He might have been •a'better judge iif he, had" not 'diluted it on the celebrated occasion when he obsequiously toasted the ' assumed .owner. We have long over-, looked the -conduct of certain 'Councillors in the Council, but it has come ; to : that pass when, the ; interests .of the ratepayers demand that the. proceedings' be"' ; reportecl fully : and' unsparingly. 1 ' Possibly this may open : the eyes, of thai ratepayers to some, of their repre- . sehtatives, if-'it does -not effect a cum