CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1826, 14 May 1918, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.) Sir.—l. read in last .Tuesday's “Herald” the account of an appeal before the Military Board re Gunner Davcy, of Himatangi, with mixed feelings., Here, is a young man, one of five brothers, all of whom voluntarily gave their services to fight for King and Empire. This soldier went away with the Second Reinforcements, served through the Gallipoli campaign, and in France, , until put out of action. He is grant- % ed leave to come back to New Zea- 1 land, and his father asks that he might be relieved from further duty and allowed to assist to work the farm. The appeal has failed, but the soldier is granted a month’s added leave, after which he must go back to “see it through,” while shirkers within our town and sine die men and poor medical rejects who can work as strenuously as ever are allowed to remain. I think, sir that this brave boy and his four brothers could easily have faked rheumatism, weak hearts, fiat feet, bad eyesight, and other subterfuges of the shirker, to dupe the medical board. But, sir, they scorned so to deceive, and, in fact, I happen to know concealed physical defects t they could have pleaded. Now, sir, I do think the Board could have acted in a more generous spirit, and it makes my blood boil to think that he has to go back after having done his duty nobly and suffered so much, when there are scores of shirkers in our very midst who should relieve him. It is a pity, sir, that women are not i allowed to be represented on the Appeal Boards. —I am, etc., ONLY A WOMAN.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —In a letter signed “Puzzled,” appearing in your last issue, I was asked to explain a certain statement I made in my letter of rThursday last re a certain resolution not being carried out by the Council. I must take your correspondent's word for it that he is a ratepayer (as he does not seem to care to disclose his identity), and as "such ho ,has a perfect right to ask me this question. I might here state that he is not the only one who was puzzled as I was personally asked the same question by a councillor. Re tho matter in question, I was referring to the Town Hall, and the recent termination of a lease of same, and the carrying out of certain covenants contained' in an agreement dealing with same. As to any details, it is not ray intention to give any at this stage, as it would be a distinct breach of confidence on my part to throw any of the council’s cards on the table which might have any bearing on the matter should legal proceedings be gone on with. Secondly, he asks whose duty it is to carry out resolutions of the Council, to which I reply, the Town Clerk, who should not under any circumstances allow the Mayor or any individual member of the Council to hinder him in the execution of his duty in so far as it affects tho carrying out of a resolution duly passed by the Council. Unless he or they prove that they have strong grounds to believe that by so doing they are acting in the best interests of the ratepayers, and then only (if the case'bc one of urgency), by submitting such evidence to the Council at a meeting convened for that purpose, at which it shall be decided what action shall be taken. And if not of an urgent nature, to move at the next regular meeting that the same be rescinded. Sir, I submit this to your opinion to bear out if 1 am correct, and, finally, 1 would like to point out to “Puzzled” that had lie stopped to think before penning his final remarks he would have seen that it would have been very foolish on my part to make a statement which I was not prepared to verify, and would be open to contradiction by whom it concerned. It is not my intention to write any more on this subject, as it would serve no good purpose, and as “Puzzled,” among others, is taking such a keen interest in Council matters, might I suggest that they go to some of the meetings and hear the discussions, and speaking from my own experience, I feel sure that the Councillors would appreciate the ratepayers taking a little more, interest in their own affairs. Thanking you again, sir, for granting space to reply.—I am, etc,,

J. W. STEVENSON. [THE procedure quoted by our correspondent is in accordance with the Council’s standing orders.— Ed.ll.j