ELECTRIC LIGHT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 445, 6 March 1912, Page 5

ELECTRIC LIGHT.

To the Editor. Sir,—When I sent you that Press Association wire last week I had no thought of opening up afresh the electric light controversy, and I would not have noticed Cr Forsyth's letter in your Saturday's issue had he not dragged in a matter entirely foreign to the subject, and accused me of "throwing mud." Cr Forsyth is again apparently in trouble over what the terms "persistent rumours circulated by alleged interested parties" that the money can't be borrowed, and apprently resents the suggestion that before further liability be incurred it would be well to know where, and how the money was to be raised, and in justification of his position makes use of one of those half truths which are generally more contemptible, and often more dangerous, than a deliberate falsehood. When he says it might interest ratepayers to know that the money for municipal buildings was only secured within the last two weeks, although the contract was let over three months ago, the impression which Cr Forsyth evidently wishes to convey to your readers is, that the money—the liability for which was incurred three months ago —had only just been provided for; whereas as whilst it may be true that it has only recently been secured, because it was not required sooner, as steps were taken to provide J:be money, and arrangements made before the contract was let. I am surprised at a matter of this nature being dragged into a frivolous newspaper correspondence simply to try and justify what appears to be Cr Forsyth's ideas of what the proper procedure should be, viz., first spend your money and then look for it. Of course, if the Council are pepared to adopt that course,', well and good, but it would appear to me to be a wiser course, and a much more businesslike one, to first make provision either through the Government or some other source before the liability is incurred. As for Cr Forsyth's very generous insinuation that I, chafing over defeat, had adopted a "course of throwing mud, it does not trouble me in the least, as I am satisfied that no one would read into my brief note to you covering the Press wire any suggetion of mud throwing unless his mental vision was so warped that he would look for dirt on an angel's wing.—l am, etc., JAMES BODDIE.