The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1889.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 21, 3 August 1889, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1889.

The new Library Committee appointed by the Borough Council ou Thursday is a large one, and if the members pull together, as we have no reason to doubt they will, they ought to do a lot of good work. In this connection we may mention that " the man in the street" has doubts — he always has, by the way — as to the legality of the appointment of so many persons on the Committee. For the information of this intangible person we may mention that the powers of the Council of making such appointments are practically unlimited. It will be observed the applic tiou of the Committee for £10 on account of Library Rates made by the chairman, was very summarily disposed of by the Council who voted the exact sum of money, the Treasurer had on hand of collected rates. Under the circumstances they could have done nothing else, aud the judicious hint thus givea to the Library Committee on the one part to live within their income, and the burgesses to pay their arrears of rates on the other part, may do a double good, although perhaps not intended at the time the resolution was passed. A hint was dropped at the Borough Council table at the last meeting of that body, to the effect that as many of the burgesses were not paying their rateß with that alacrity which is desirable in such cases, the system of drawing names to be. sued at the R.M. Court, would be again adopted. Last year this plan found much favor on all sides, aud the bank overdraft was much reduced iv consequence. If we might advise ou the subject, we would certainly recommend those whose rates are unpaid to put themselves ou the safe side without delay. Another important point is that supposing all rates are paid within the next two months, there will be no defaulters list to cause heartburning at the next mayoral election, should, there be a keen contest, which we understand is almost a certainty. The Feilding Borough Council, as will be seen in the report of its meeting, took a far more business like mode of expressing itself upon the Hospital aud Charitable Aid Bill tUan aluioßt any other public body. Instead of confining themselves to a simple motion of dissent, they give comraeudatiou where it is due, and distinctly show what are the objectionable points that render the proposed measure unacceptable. Had other district adopted the same course their members would have been armed with a " why and wherefore" and could have done better service in procuring the necessary amendments, than by a dogged opposition without sense because without reason. The Beer duty collections last month amounted to £3803 14s 9d, as against £2960 7s 2d for the same month of last year. The four principle ports contributed as follows : — Dunediu, £944 17s 6d; Auckland, £772 0s 8d ; Christchurch, £700 1 5s ; Wellington, £457 12s 2d. The Customs revenue collected at the four principal ports during last month was as follows — Duneiin, £35,554 3s 3d ; Christchurch, £20,938 9s ; Auckland, £22,181 Is Id; Wellington, £27,130 2s 2d. The returns for the month are not yet complete, as the contributions for the ports of Kaipara, Tauranga and Patea are not yet in.