CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1373, 13 March 1915, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editoi)•

Sir, —I regret that Mr Richmond should have been blamed for the authorship of my anonymous letter. Ido not agree with Mr Richmocd -on the point of anonymity, so long as the criticism is lair and on general lines of council administration, Very often an anonymous letter to the press carries greater weight than if the writer revealed his name. I think, sir, that Councillors leave too much to the Town Clerk which should first receive the Council’s consideration. The Town Clerk should not be expected to act as the High Panjandrum Lord Dictator of the borough, but simply as the servant of the Council, carrying out the dictates of that body arrived at after due aud careful consideration. If the Council desires to transfer its responsibilities to the Clerk, then, sir, I withdraw my protest against the salary paid. Some time ago I questioned a councillor concerning a certain matter authorised by the Clerk, and he said he knew nothing about it, and it had not come before the Council! Mr Richmond asks ratepayers to attend Council meetings, but what is the use when so much of the business is taken in committee. Why the necessity for so much secrecy ? If Councillors are afraid to let the electors know their views then, surely, they have no right to represent us. I know it is necessary to take certain matters in private, but this sort of thing can be carried too far, I agree with "Ratepayer No. 2” that all matters of finance should be considered by a committee and a report presented to the Council. Every committee set up by the Council should bring down its report to the Council in proper order for discussion, amendment or adoption. Yours in anticipation, Raterayer.