ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 905, 22 August 1879, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

[He do not hold ourselrcs rrsponsihtp for opinions expressed hi/correspondents.]

(TO THE EDITOR OK THE DUS’STAX TIMES.) Sir 1 would ask your kind permission to say a few words in reply to some remarks which appeared in last Friday’s Dl'Nstan' Times from **your own correspondent Alexandra.” After indulging in a certain amount of contemptible trash, ho poos on to say that under the old regime the Town flail, Manuherikia Bridge, the bridge that is now building, the new Court and Post Offices, were Carrie l * through. People reading this who do not know better, would fancy all those works were performed by the late regime of Alexandra. What bosh, Mr Editor. The Court and Post Offices are Government buildings, the late regime had nothing to do in carrying them through, with the exception of bringing the matter prominently before the Government, which was their duty. The Manuherikia B r idge is anything but a creditable transaction for the late regime to look hack upon. The Borough and people of A'exandra subsidised the County Council to the extent of L 275 towards the erection of this bridge, believing they were going to get a substantial bridge for their money. But what do they find—they find a bridge palmed off on them that the Engineer would not recommend as safe to carry traffic. Well, who is to blame for all this r Whose duty was it, after the people of Alexandra contributed this large sum of money, to see that they got what they expected—a good bridge. Why, the late regime of Alexandra. And how did they perform it. Their chief was told the sort of bridge they were going to get ; hut did he on behalf of the people of Alexandra protest against it, as was his duty as the representative of the Borough. Certainly not; he winked at it ; and through it the people were left in the dark and knew nothing till after their money was paid, and the bridge in course of erection. It was then too late to raise their voices against it. This is only a specimen of the late administration. There have been other things done which are anything but creditable, and which have landed the Borough in difficulties. And yet “your own” lauds them to the slies, and sees nothing good in their successors. Evidently his object is to puff up the deeds performed by the late Mayor, and to show that the present occupant of tho office is a sluggard and donothing. But what are the real facts of the case ? The late regime landed the Borough in such financial difficulties that the present Council, after taking office, found the finances in such a state that it was impossible for them to carry out works to any extent. So much, Mr Editor, for the administration of the late regime of Alexandra, And now I come to tho bridge

which is building. 1 look upon it as a gross insult to the County Council, to say that the bridge was carried through under the late regime of Alexandra. The late regime nr Borough of Alexandra had nothing whatever to do with the building of this bridge The whole thing is being carried through and built by the County Council solely, and I hope the people of Alexandra have enough gratitude left in them to acknowledge that they are under a deep obligation to the County Council for this work, and not insult them by saying that the la e regime of Alexandra carried it through. People here may be anxious to see the news of the place duly chronicled, but 1 do not think they care about “ your own correspondent ” taking advantage of bis writing to puff up the deeds he performed when holding a certain position, and trying by a side wind to claim the honour of carrying ’out" works he had no band whatever in. No, Mr Editor, the people will not have it—honour to whom honour is due.—Yours, &c., Observer. August 18ih.