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Dunstan Times, Issue 417, 15 April 1870, Page 2

Thr Municipal difficulties of Crom well appear never likely to come to an end, and if we may judge from tbe result of the meeting of ratepayers held there on Wednesday last, so long as the sinews of war are forthcoming the legal squabbling of this happy, or we should say, unhappy family will continue. There is only one way out of the difficulty, and that is, if the citizens find their contributions in the shape of rates continue to be expended in feeing lawyers, is to refuse to pay them. One ofthe speakers at the meeting, Mr. W, J. Barry says that “ for the last two years not a shilling hj is been ex pended upon any useful work, and yet the Council have got th •ough all

heir money ” and we should imaginet a little more besides, who therefore can wonder as Mr. Barry proceeds to say that “ this state of matters was beginning to create’Uneasiness in the minds of the ratepayers ” in our opinion the ratepayers of Cromwell must be a very long suffering body exhibiting more than Christian patience and fortitude under affliction, it is not at all surprising that finding two years rates and the Government subsidy upon them have been swallowed up in law, that the ratepayers should become uneasy, and seek a remedy by a public expression of feeling upon the subject. This unfortunately for the ratepayers docs not seem to have been very expressed, except in Mr. Barry’s case. Mr. John Marsh hopes that a move satisfactory state of affairs might be brought about, but suggests no remedy. Mr. Wbetter promises to cry “ go ” and to abandon bis unfortunate suit, but the present Mayor, and Chairman of the meeting, Mr. G W. Goodger declines upon his part to do so, and the game of the •ival Mayors will be played out. After Mi - . Whetter’s offer of peace, and es peeially that the ratepayers are tired of war, it wonW only have been a grace fid act on the part of Mr. Goodger to have accepted, while it would have ended a strife in which both, parties must stiff t, and the interest of of Cromwell still continue to be neglected. How much better to •“ Iniry the hatchet of war” cement oh! friendships, and promote the prosperity of the Municipality and district as in the days '-of yore, the uimost that can be gained is barren honors, alike valueless to both combatants. The ratepayers of Cromwell should bear in mini! that the doings of their Mayor and Council have become the talk of the whole Province, they can gain no credit from this party strife, its result will be injury to themselves ; having the means to end it. in their own hands, the wisest course to adopt is to exercise them.