The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1872.

Dunstan Times, Issue 522, 19 April 1872, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1872.

Beneath the Rule of Menmx'rlUELY just the pen is moitTiEu than the sword

Thj; circular letter from Mr. H. S. Fish, jitn., to the Mayoi s of our various municipalities evidently requires some passing eons-deration. Were it only an additional proof of the approaching end of our Provincial Institutions, it would command attention and deserve interest. But as it is something more —a well-devised plan to obtain a valedictory bequest from the Provincial Government, before it ceases to exist it requires grave consideration. There is one thing very plain, and that is : the Corporation of Dunedin would notj f seek help from outlving districts to obtain such aid were they even only hopeful of so doing unaided. We re-print the communication sent from his Worship the Mayor of Dunedin. “Dunedin, March* 21/ 1872.—Dear “ Sir,'—The necessity which exists, in “ order to ensure the permanent and “ proper working of the various muni- “ cipalitrcs throughout the province—- “ that the provincial authorities should “in some way permanently endow or “ subsidise flic various Corporations—- “ has for some time passed forced itself “upon my attention, as doubtless it “ has upon yours. It is, 1 think, quite “evwWf, +Uof if the 1 Municipalities cannot carry on their “ functions much longer in a satisfac- “ tory manner without some assistance “from the Government; and seeing “ that Road Hoards are liberally endow“ed, there exists, in my opinion, no ‘ valid reason why Municipalities “ should not be similarly assisted. In “ order to force this matter effectively “ upon the Provincial Council atitsnext “ sittings, I would propose that a cou- “ ference of all the Mayors in the Pro- “ vince beheld, when the subject could “ bo thoroughly discussed. I would sug- “ gest the conference should take place “ in Dunedin, as the most central. I “ shall be glad to learn, asearlyaspos- “ sible, if ray proposal meets witli your “approval. Should the replies from “ the various Mayors, or a majority of “ them, be favorable, I would at once “ convene the meeting, us no time “ should be lost. I am thoroughly “ convinced much good will result “from the [conference, and shall “ be glad to hear the idea meets with “your concurrence. Awaiting the “ favor of an early reply, I am, &c.. H. S. “ Fish, Junr., Mayor of Dunedin.” The first consideration for ns appears to be that, in a very short distance from Clyde,Alexandraand Cromwell possess Municipal Institutions and all their machinery, as well as ourselves. Is it necessary or expedient that these triple institutions should be endowed or perpetuated 1 Is it necessary for three small towns, such as Clyde, Alexandra, and Cromwell, to possess three Mayors, three Town Clerks, and three sets of Town Councillors 1 The attempt or the desireto endow thenl with lands would only afiord evidence of a wish to alienate still fnrsoer our limited resources in an illegitimate manner. Were the Dunedin Corporation actually in such a position that further endowments were necessary for its vitality or .prosperity, we, of course, should urge that such endowments should be given : as Municipal Institutions, at all events, these should be mairi'aiued. But, considering the Dunedin Corporation is at present in a good position—has sources of revenue and privileges that are yearly increasing in value—we fail to see any reason why fresh funds or endowments should be given them. In Oamarn, where another paid Mayor is at the head of the Municipality, we fail to recognise the wisdom of thgir proceedings. The-Corporation has plunged

-wildly into debt, taking .on itself fh e 'onxts of the construction of works that should have -been performed by the General Government. Now, when Corporations take upon themselves works of supererogation, and meddle with things they have no right to entertain, they at once prove their unfitness for their duties. If Municipal 'lnstitutions, must be maintained, we suppose they n ust be endowed , but we join issue with Mr. Fish, consider they are too cumberous, expensive, and elaborate to svit our wants. If the Province is to be divided into shires, and a county system inaugurated, therein every chance of our being able to dispense with up-country Municipal blessings entirely ; and, considering such a change imminent, it is unwise to seek'further endowments for our municipal life until we know where the change in our form of Government is going to be. In addition to the foregoing objection, we may st ite our dislike to seek any re-

relief or aid from the Provincial Government at all; and were we,'for a moment, to induce a belief in the minds of our readers that such aid would be given, we should only state what be believe to be most improbable, as to the wants and wishes of upcountry districts, tire Provincial Council has always turned, when possible, a deaf ear. We want nothing more to do with the Provincial System than help to bury it speedily and safely, even if we get something equally bad in its place. It is highly probable, were Mr. Fish’s proposition entertained by the Provincial Council, it would not be sanctioned by the powers above. But, at all events, if such endowments are necessary, and the various municipalities are to be maintained, we prefer to wait for such endowment from tl e Assembly than to hope for or receive ought from our Provincial Council,