REPLY TO "RATEPAYER" AND JELLY-FISH.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 May 1916, Page 2

REPLY TO "RATEPAYER" AND JELLY-FISH.

TO THE EDITOR

SIR, —I read " Ratepayer's " letter in your issue of April 20, and Mr J. A. Wilson's in your last. " Ratepayer " is apparently not very well acquainted with the usual practice in regard to local bodies' affairs. Between meetings very often matters arise that have to receive immediate attention,' and in consequence the Chairmen of local bodies are usually entrusted with the power of attending to such matters. At the meeting following upon the Chairman having exercised such powers, it is usual for the local body to pass a resolution confirming the action of the Chairman. "When I stated in my letter to your paper that' Mr McLeod had apparently done most of the work in connection with the £3000 loan, and had then gone to the Board for confirmation of his actions, I did not mean to imply that the Board members were guilty of any derilection of their duty. I only meant to show that the Chairman was primarily responsible for the mess that was made of the business. " Ratepayer's" conclusion that the members were like jelly-fish is not warranted by facts. When he goes on to say that the old members should be turned oat, "he is too drastic altogether. There were really good members in the old Board, and.l must say that all the old .members that were returned last time have consistently and loyally supported me in my efforts to establish the finances of the Board upon' a sound basis. No one could have more consistently supported such efforts, nor looked at all matters brought before the Board from a broader or more businesslike standpoint than has Commissioner Wilson, but there is one point upon '< which I would like to put Mr Wilson right. He speaks of the surmise of the Chairman that Mr McLeod did most of the work in connection with the £3000 loan. This is not a matter of surmise. I have examined the Board's minutes for six months before the raising of the loan, and I find that Mr McLeod never consulted the Board as to the rate of interest or the currency of the loan, or whether the first year's interest was to be paid out of the loan, but Mr McLeod decided these points himself, and on September 6th., 1913, the Board resolved ~" That the Chairman's action re advertising in local paper in connection with the poll to be taken for raising a loan of £3000 for the completion of the drainage and water-supply, be confirmed (vide the Town Board minute book). —I am, etc., E. Thurlow Field.

THE SPRINGS . " :*m AND PARAKAI ''<§