MISMANAGEMENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 828, 1 March 1878, Page 3

MISMANAGEMENT.

(TO THE F.niTOR OF THE DUSSTAU TIITES ) Sir Allow me through the medium of your columns to cull the attention of the ratepayers of Alexandra to the apparent Want of administrative ahilily, as exemplified in the conduct of Municipal affairs hy our worthy Mayor and Councillors. In opposition to the wish of a number of the ratepayers that august body decided on borrowing money to enable them to erect a Town Hall, in preference to first laying On water to Supply the town. The Town water race was purchased by a former Council at a cost of over LBOO ; and has, until withir the last six months, been rented for mining purposes by Messrs Terry and Company, who kept the race in repair and furnished the town with a, regular supply o! water. This last lease expired some six months since, when, knowing that the race would require cleaning out, and flumes, culverts, &0., kept in repair they refused to tender more than a nominal rental, the ground they had lately been working not having paid wages. This the Council declined to accept, and called for fresh tenders. A Chinaman being the only tenderer, at some 1.40 per annum, which was accepted. The long-tailed gentleman soon got tired of his spec and sublet it to some mor' Celestials, who, in their turn, have allowed the race to silt up so that the first thunderstorm that came carried it away in several places, destroying flumes and culverts, thereby depriving the town and gardens of water for near a month, and endangering the safety of a town in case of a fire, which state of things will likely exist d'nVtng the whole summer ; because, through the race having been so long dry it baa become a bed of grass and weeds, and will require a thorough cleansing from end to,end. The Chinaman has no intention, of fulfilling his tontj'act, and when threatened with the

ten'iifi of ibe Mayor, smiles Wandly and u iVs, “ Me nn savee the Mayor.” Several rate pay cm enquirewho is responsible for imt lookin' after the heaps of dry straw and manure laving in the back streets, blowing about and endangering the safety of the town this dry and windy weather.— 1 am, &c., Ratepayer. Alexandra, Feb. 28th, 1878. TURKO-RU SSIAN WAR. —o (By Cable.) (From our Dunedin Exchanges.) London, February )9th. In the German Parliament Bismarck said he did not believe there would he a European war. Congress assembles during the first fortnight in March. London, Feb. 19th. At to-day’s sitting of the German Parliament, Bismarck declared his disbelief in the probability of a European war. Ho said Germany will not interfere between Russia and Turkey, but is willing to mediate. The President of the Austrian Council of Ministers said Austria reserves the interests of monarchy, and objects to shifting the balance of power. Cardinal Pccci has been elected Pope by the Conclave of Cardinals. He has assumed the title of Leo the Thirteenth. The European Congress assembles in tne first fortnight in March. Papers presented to Parliament show that Schouvaloff informed Lord Derby in June of the terras of peace, which are identical with Russia’s present demands. Two hundred and nine thousand bales of wool arrived in time for the sales. February 24th. The insurgents in Thessaly had beaten the Turks at Valo. Six hundred were killed. The Channel fleet has been ordered to Gallipoli, aud a new one is forming. (Special to the Melbourne Arcus.) London, February 21st. Recruiting is going on actively. The Government are purchasing 20,000 horses for the army. The army estimates show an increase of L 450.000. Namuk Pasha goes on a special mission to St. Petersburg!! to obtain modifications in the terms of peace, some of which are considered harsh by the Porte. Server Pasha has been dismissed from the Foreign Office. Lord Derby and Sir Stafford Northcote have announced in Parliament that England and Russia had agreed that neither shall occupy Gallipoli or Boulair, or land troops on cither side of the Hellespont. England will be represented at the BadenBaden Conference the same as other Powers. Sulieman Pasha has been court-martialled. London, February 23rd. The European Conference on the Eastern question will assemble in a fortnight. The Chancellor of Exchequer, in reply to a question, said Russia had undertaken not to occupy Gallipoli, and it was probable an additional assurance would not be required. The elevation of Cardinal Pecci is generally approved. His election was unanimous..