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Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 28, 24 January 1877, Page 3

TO THE EDITOB.

Sib,— "Ratepayer's" letter demands a few words. - Be he of Foxton or not, he is certainly a very disappointed man. This stares the reader m the face. The letter is wanting on many points m that preciseness which goes far towards establishing the truth. To commence with: — "Ratepayer" asks "If it is true, as is commonly reported, that the Chairman is to receive a heavy salary." Who has commonly reported? Only " Ratepayer" and his misguided friends. The OMJtoaan fairly stated he would requireiKj^ary previous to his election. True ! th) 3 unsuccessful candidate said he woul^Jdo the work for nothing, but, mark you, that was only said after he saw he could not be Chairman. With regard to the merits or demerits of the two. gentlemen whom " Ratepayer" cdmpares together, I will hot enter into the question. Experience teaches, and I venture to say that the present Chairman will bring, as much . nous, as , much hard work, and JL fancy as much " administrative ability!' to, the working out of the Counties Act, as any other would have done. If he does not, oust him next time. " Ratepayer" proceeds to state that a very narrow-minded view was exhibited by the present Chairman m throwing his influence m favour of one part of the County. My dear Mr " Ratepayer," you must be very crass to think that a man whose whole stake is m the place would, on such a question as Foxton or Palmerston, give his vote, other things and votes being equal, to the town m which he has no interest. Apart from that, I am not aware that the Chairman has evinced any favouritism for. Foxton, oi* exhibited any antagonism to Palmerston. "Ratepayer" harps on this supposed antagonism again when he speaks of want of judgment on the part of the Councillors to vote four against four, and the Chair-; man to give his casting-vote the way he did. Really again; dear sir, you* must be— — well, supply a word . yourself if you can think of one suitable, I cannot. Must four men be led by the nose, as it were, and not allowed to express an opinion against Palmerston. Poor Palmerston, and still poorer are your- advocates ! Foxton ! why did not you, let Palmerston be the County Town; as an " actiof grace" to her P ; Her. advocated can. only put that foryrardinherfev.bur, Well .'well ! alas for the glory which once wais! But really, "Ratepayer," you take it for granted that there is to be continual squabbling .amongst the

Councillors : you would like to see this no doubt. My impressioiris that our Coundjllbrs are all men. of better ystufE than you seem to be, (poor- querulous fellow). Ido trust that you are not one and do not wish to be one, for a black sheep would spoil the lot. I believe they will all go m to work for the good of the County, and none more so than the five who voted together last meeting. Your remarks about Foxton are very sapient, but I cannot think you can have read the Act very carefully when you talk such rubbish as about the power to pay a Chairman. "Ratepayer," m the. latter part of his letter, puts forward, his estimable views about what has been stupidly termed a " clique" m Foxton. I need not go into particulars regarding his statements, which show that either he knows very little about the matter, or knowing, wilfully hides his knowledge and tries to mislead. All I can say is that what a few have lately been doing for Foxton m the way of urging on its fortunes, is what should have been done long ago. The "clique" appear to be men who have the interest of the place at heart, and their whole stake m it. Not so their detractors. If they have two Councillors, who put them there but the large majority of the electors, who recognized m them men of energy and large interest m the place? Two more as members of the Harbour Board, chosen thereto, mark ■ you, dear Mr " Ratepayer," by the ratepayer's chosen men the Local Board, as per law directed. Your hint about auditors, Mr " Ratepayer," is a nasty one, only the thought of a man who has mistaken himself when he writes to newspapers ; but then perhaps you did not mean the inuendo therein, poor man. Auditors are required, and the Governor appoints them for the Harbour Board, and I think for the other but am not sure. .Perhaps, if you beg very hard, you may be appointed one. As for the Public Hall, what business have you, sir, to talk about a shareholder's company m the tone you do? Become a shareholder, and you shall have your say m the management of the institution. Adieu, "Ratepayer." — I am, &c, Jacobus Fils.