CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 27, 20 January 1877, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Our correspondence column being open, no respoMbUity, can be accepted m respect to ppinaHPlxpressed by correspondents.]

TO THE EDITOB* - Sib,— -With reference to the County Council and its affairs much might be said, but, to my mind, there is as much danger m saying too-much as m saying nothing at aft. It is, however, a duty to ourselves as ratepayers to see that our 1 rates be properly spent, and if it is true, as is commonly reported, that the Chairman is to receive a heavy salary, it is very 'clear, that that would- be a waste .of public money, seeing that Mr Halcombe offered his services as Chairman fo* nothing ; and lam sure no commonsense man would compare Mr Thynne with Mr Halcombe, the latter being a 'man of proved, ability whose previous training has been such as to fully, qualify him for that position, while Mr Thynnej although a man of good . commonsense, is certainly unfit for the position of Chairman, as is evident from the course he took at the first meeting of the Council. Had he looked a little beyond the present and been a man of administrative ability m the affairs of the Council, he would have seen that to throw his influence m favour of one part of the County, viz., Foxton; to the detriment of the other was a very narrowminded view. It should -*be the object of every Councillor to push forward the - best interests of the County as a whole, and to do that they should be unanimous m their views and give and take when necessity required. " I think it displayed a great* want of judgment on the part of the Councillors to be divided four against iour at their first meeting, and also of the Chairman m the way he gave Jris casting vote. Now, it appears quite clear to me that Palmerston m all fairness should have been the County Town, and it is also quite clear that Mr Sanson's, pet railway should be made. But I fear that Foxton lies exhibited too much selfishness m not, as- an act of grace,- making Pahnerston the County Town. Mr Sanson quite defeated his - own object m stating his mind too fully. Had he and the Foxton members and others, worked with the Feilding and Palmerston members, I am quite sure that the up-country members would have supported the railway scheme and all other necessary County works, whereas now it is very doubtful whether they will. Besides, it should be remembered, that it is not long since the upper -part ofirthis district or County was allied to tl^iPjgngitikei County, and it should not be^jroridered at ff the same thing was .attempted again. And it should be remeffjbered that to develope the port of Foxton wants both the exports and sympathy of the upper part of the country, and therefore they should think before they act. lam not sure that the Counties Act can be properly worked while the Council is constituted as it is, nor am I sure that they have the power to pay a Chairman, seeing that no Councillor is to hold a position of profit m the Council. Recently there has been considerable dissatisfaction m Foxton with regard- to what is called' the " clique," which consists of a few individuals who are pecuniarily interested m each other on the joint-stock principle, and who have succeeded m having some one or other of their number elected for public position., Two of them are returned as Councillors,. and the other two as members of tne Harbour Board. They certainly play a nice little game, but unfortunately for them public attention is being directed towards them, and peo- | pie are beginning to enquireinto matters which, o£ course, they have no* business to do. : They should, stand still and look pleasant, and pay their money,, and the " clique" will manage the Council, Harbour Board, Public Hall, Local Board, &c, and as for auditors, they are not required. Well, let us wish them success m their efforts. We need not remind them that the up-country settlers have it m ■-their power to change the as- f pect of affairs, sliould they feel disposed' to use such clauses of the Act. as bear ■upon the working thereof, and which leaves the power still, m a great measure, m the hands of the people.. Apologizing for the length of this note.— l am,- &c, : . . Ratepayer. Foxton, January 16th; 1877-