BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 201, 23 February 1895, Page 2

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir,— l think we have had enough of the anathemas whicii are constantly being hurled by anonymous correspondents in your journal against the Borough Councillors, under the stale cognomen of " City Fathers," and who, I see m yesterday's Star, are, as " venerable and lethargic members of the Council," threatened to " receive their deserts " at the hands of the burgesses unless they are prepared to please everybody. I am quite sure tbat the members of the Council are both desirous and willing to do the best they can in the interests of the Borough. But I need not point out what everybody knows, that financial difficulties stand in the way of the Council engaging in many public works of vital importance to the town. If your anonymous correspondents on this subject, instead of hiding their heads under a bushel, and publishing their effusions which no one takes any notice of, were to come forward boldly and state their requirements openly in a deputation to the Council, and at the same time undertake to devote their energies in persuading the burgesses to consent to the raising of the requisite funds for carrying out the required works, some good might be done, but I fear their energies would not be equal to the task. With respect to your correspondent miscalling himself " Pro Bono Publico," 1 have scarcely patience to point out the absurdity of his proposal to block up the two main thoroughfares in the town. Even it could now be legally accomplished, I doubt whether many supporters could be found in favor of such a mad scheme. Whatever may have been the original intention respecting the site of the Municipal Buildings it is most fortunate that it was not carried out by means of a blockade in Manchester Square, which is the opinion of everyone with whom I have conversed on the subject. 1 quite agree with your correspondent that Manchester Square is a disgrace to the Borough, and when I was in the Council, both as Councillor and Mayor, and since by correspondence in your journal, I did and have done my best to bring about an improvement in the Square, but, owinf to what I may safely call the apathy of the people, unsuccessfully. An outlay of from £60 to JE7O would convert the Sqnare into an ornament, instead of an eyesore, especially if that ugly bell scaffolding could be removed to a less conspicuous site. I am, etc., Saml. Goodbehere. Feilding, February 21st, 1895.