CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1824, 9 May 1918, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.) Sir.—ln your issue of Tuesday last I notice that the Mayor, in his remarks after the declaration of the poll, saw fit to pay me some attention by referring to me in what he thought a complimentary manner, but one of his remarks I take exception to. I refer to that remark where he states that all men are liable to make mistakes, with which I quite agree. But, as far as I am concerned, there was no mistake. It has yet to be proved to me that he did not over-ride a resolution of the Council. The wording of the resolution was as clear as the water which is still coming through the roof of the librarian’s kitchen, and sir, as I have stated before, I will not be a. party to work being done in a slipshod manner, and thus wasting thq ratepayers’ money, and to show the methods that have been adopted, I will quote the following, and in a small way try to show the ratepayers why I acted as I did. During the first week in April a resolution was passed by a certain committee and submitted to the Council, where it was unanimously endorsed, that if a certain matter was not attended to by the 20th April legal proceedings would be taken against said party. It is now the Bth of May, and nothing has been done. It will soon dawn on the Mayor and Councillors that they have made a huge mistake in not carrying out the resolution as soon as the time expired. It would be infra dig for me to mention publicly to what this refers. The point is, has the Mayor again decided that the resolution is not to be carried out. Sir, I would like to know what is the use of the Council passing resolutions. Now lam fully conversant with this particular matter, and when the right time comes, if things are not well done, I shall deem it my duty to the publio as a citizen to let them know through the press the full facts of the ease. Re mistakes, I think the only one I made was in my being tc/> straightforward and outspoken to suit certain people. However, there is nothing in that to be ashamed of. Without wishing to give myself a pat on the back, I have at least the satisfaction of being able to say that I would not stand up at a public, or any other meeting and make a statement which, when the proper time came, I had not the moral courage to carry into effect; neither would I pay myself a compliment out of another man’s defeat, especially such a compliment, when only 341 out of a roll number of 901 were sufficiently interested to go out and vote. When I was elected to the Council I did not forfeit my own opinions, or set aside my convictions, or tie myself to any particular section of the community. I prefer to be a free-lance, and I have at least the satisfaction of knowing that I have let a little light into municipal affairs. There has been certain misleading statements in cir-, eulatiou during the past week re the cost of the by-clection. According to some it has ranged anywhere from £ls to £4O, For the benefit of those who arc foolish enough to swallow such electioneering dodges, I may state the approximate cost will be roughly £7, which can bo verified. While expressing regret to my supporters, I could not have acted otherwise, as half-measures are of no use in my opinion. In “Track Notes” last week there was some reference made by “Early Bird” to the Mayor’s “blind side.” I don’t know which is his blind side, but certainly he must have one, as he could not correctly take a show of hands. Had he declared the resolution carried (which it was), probably there would have been no need for a by-election. While not having a blind side as far as the overdraft is concerned, I will tender him a little advice, a nod being as good as a wink to a blind horse. Perhaps (lie man who had the courage to speak straight out, man to man, will ultimately prove to be his best friend. Thanking you, sir, for your courtesy in allowing me space to ventilate this matter.—l am, etc., J. W. STEVENSON.