THE COUNTY ESTIMATES. *

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue II, 28 May 1880, Page 2

THE COUNTY ESTIMATES.

TO THE EDITOH OF THE MANAWATU HEUALD. Sir, — I regret that the protest I lodged against striking tbe rate should have caused so much unpleasantness in the Council. I only forwarded it after all the Councillors had omitted tJ notice at the meeting tho I actnnl mistakes wade, and surely they needed to be pointed uut 07 some outsider, as .Mr Macarlhur, after having his attention drawn to one error, neglected to check the remainder of his Kstimates. As Mr Ma.'arthur has descended from his usual precision, and advised the Gouacillors that it matters little whether ha or I were right, as clause 51 of the Rating Act would validate any illegalities committed, it is hardly worth while arguing the matter out. But 1 still doubt whether the clause would in a court of law support his case. I wish to remark, that should Mr Macart bur's reply to my first objection be correct the I'stimates would still not be in accordance with the Act, as the proposed or actual expenditure is shown for only eleven months, the expenditure for April being lumped in a balance, between receipts and expenditure for that month. | Therefore the Estimates do not show tho expenditure for tho period for which the rate is made. My second objection was grounded on clause 107 of the Counties Act, anJ has nothing whatever to do with the clauses of the Rating Act he so voluminously produces. Tlie rate being a County one, tbe roll is also a County one, and there is nothing to connect the difficulties he conjures up with the complications of the subdivisions of the various local bodies. The important objection, number three, showing tho unreliability of the Estimates as a whole and as divMeri into Riding accounts, owing to gross inaccuracies in addition and subtraction, he passes over aa a " mere clerical error " of no consequence. This is the more astonishing, as at the time the Estimates were published they were the only information the Councillors or the public had lo rely on, the members passbooks not having been written up, and the Treasurer's books being conveniently away in Wellington to be audited. These mere clerical errors Mr Macarthur says "were obvious:" still they did not appear to have been bt to the Council. However, as Mr Macarthur prepared these Estimates "in haste," and he made some mistakes, of course no one ought to have mentioned the matter ! The other objections I informed Mr Mac* arthur I did not think of much moment, but as they should be considered, the whole qutstion might have been thought out. Apparently as I raised the question, this was sufficient to prevent their considering it calmly. The only reply I mean to make to Mr Maoarthur's perponal : attack on myself is this : that during my occupation of the chair jmy actions were open to the fullest criticism without causing me to be angry about it, and that to raise objections eightteen months after I have left office can hardly be considered fair, or — as he had opportunities to do so when I could reply — very honebt. He has been pleased, in order to influence votes in the Council, to attack me, knowing full well that his point wan gained before I could reply, — an achievement he could not often boast of when I was present. He (of course without consideration) made a public attack on me officially when it was probable it would be reported in the fliree County papers, knowing that my reply could only appear in one, thud affording a good instance of the odds (2 to 1) under which he elects to battle with his opponents. I again say I regret that Mr Macarthur could not have argued this question out upon its merits without dragging in hi quoque arguments, which are always childish. I have endeavored to remain personally friends with those I differ from politically, and if such a course is not upheld, true and healthy critoißm" will be burked,— a misfortunate for all I am &c, Ernest S. Thynne. Foxton, May 25, 1880.