THE MAYOR IN REPLY TO MR GOODBEHERE.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 64, 12 September 1895, Page 2

THE MAYOR IN REPLY TO MR GOODBEHERE.

i to the editor of THE ST. r. Sir, — Notwithstanding what 7th- *:••-• ■•■]- behere may think or uii'i' neu '!e subject I am quite content *o 1. ivo it lo your readers to judge whotln r ury letter of tbe 10th was or was not a satisfactory answer to your correspondent's complaint. I consider I had a discretionary power either to refer Mr Goodbehere's offer to the Council or to the Committee, and, sir, in niy humble opinion the Committee is the proper body to refer it to in the first instance. I would again point out, sir, that I am not opposed to the removal of the bell tower, and tbat I never so expressed myself. I quite agree with your correspondent that in its present position it is an eyesore, but still, until it can at a reasonable cost be removed to a convenient site, it must remain where it is. Now as to the subscriptions promised towards improving tbe Square. For the information of the subscribers and your readers generally, I may say that the whole of the promised subscriptions have not yet been got in, but whatever moneys bave been paid roe on that account havo been placed in my Trust Account atthe Colonial Bank to the credit of Manchester Square Improvements. When the whole of the promised subscriptions have been got in the amount in band will be remitted to the Charitable Aid Board and the subsidy applied for. On receipt of the moneys from this Board the funds will be then available for the Committee appointed by the Council to superintend tbe carrying out of the improvements, and the works will be gone on with. Oa completion of the works the usual course will be adopted of publishing a full aud detailed statement of receipts and expenditure. Sir, jour correspondent says in his postscript that his observations " are not to be considered personal," but this notwithstanding, it appears to mc that there is a something in tbe latter portion of his letter wliicli savours very much of the personal order. I have uot as much leisure at my command as your correspondent has, nor the love for letter writing which ho appears to be endowed with, aud therefore, as I venture to hope, having set myself right with your readers, I must decline to further continue the discussion. I am, ite, W. A Sandilands. Sept. 11th, 1895.