BOROUGH RETRENCHMENT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1409, 7 April 1881, Page 2

BOROUGH RETRENCHMENT.

[to the editor.] Sir—The subject of retrenchment in borough finances' is the uppermost subject in the minds of our Councillors; and has been brought prominently before the ratepayers during the past fortnight 'frith a very dubious result* consequent on the vindictive animus shown by the mover of the unsuccessful motion that the Town Clerk's services be dispensed with at the end of three months; and in the course of his speech in support of his motion he said nothing showing the necessity of curtailing expenditure, but read a series of charges against the Town Clerk; Now, sir, I submit that if thosechaiges are true, the Town Clerk is not qualified for his office ; and, if false, the pre* poser and seconder of this resolution re dismissal of Town Clerk should be avoided as a man of no principle, and classed amongst mceudiai-ies and assas*

sins. In my opinion —and I may say the opinion of a great many ratepayers of this town—it was thought the subject of retrenchment for the next twelve months had been thoroughly ventilated', and an implied obligation t entered into by the Town Clerk when lie accepted the reduced salary ; but if it is to be understood that in future the Town Clerk's tenure of office is dependent on the likes and dislikes of the Borough Councillors, and not on his efficiency, then I think it time for the ratepayers to express their opinions j and my opinion is that thfe resolution tabled at the Borough Council on Monday, the 28th ult., respecting the object mentioned above was the emanation of a mind splenetic and personal.— 1 am, &c, .Ratepayer. Kumara, April 6, 1881.