THE EMBASSY AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 39, 26 March 1879, Page 2

THE EMBASSY AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The action of Messrs. Sanson and Gowbb during the sitting of the County Council is open to the severest reprobation, and should clear the eyes of the residents of the Upper Manawatu to the gross disadvantages at which their representatives are placed through the balance of power held by the Southern members. The ordinary meeting was allowed to elapse through the absence of Councillors, Gowbb, Sanson, Loitdon, and Bockstbow, the County was put to the cost of defraying the expenses of members from a distance, and those members themselves were put to the inconvenience of a fruitless journey and waste of time. At the adjourned sitting, Councillors Linton and Haloombb — as m duty bound — sought for a declaration from Councillors Sanson and Goweb that their visit to the Minister of Pablic Works was entirely of a private nature, and that the official character given to it by several journals had no foundation m fact, but the bare mention of that painful incident had only the effect of making both gentlemen insultingly obstinate m their refusal to afford the Council and its members the least satisfaction. It will be seen from the context of the resolution that both the mover and the seconder were only too willing to relieve Councillors Sanson and G-owbb of the onus thrown upon them ; by the Post, and we imagine when the following motion is read it will be immediately seen how littlo cause either gentlemen had for the grand eloquent display of virtuous indignation indulged m. It readß thus : — "That, considering this Council, at its last meeting, fully discussed the merits of fcho various proposed routes for the proposed West Coast Railway, it now wishes to b* placed on record that it has no connection whatever, as a Council, with the late visit of Councillors Gower and Sanson to the Minister for Public Works m Wellington, for the express purpose of pressing upon his notice their peculiar views respecting the route which should be adopted by the Government." We have always admired Councillor Sanson for the unflinching manner m which he stuck to his colors, and fought his way -atop bvatep. We admire his efforts m the mam tosetrttre-.roi- imujuir ana m^ -uousmtuency what he believes will be a mutual benefit, and we are astounded that ho should have shown the white feather, and by quitting the Council, and taking his tail with him, loave that body without a quorum. It was not worthy of liim, and we looked to him for more honorable and independent conduct. The lesson, however, is a valuable one, and Bhould convince the elector* of the upper ridings that their representatives are at the mercy of a majority, should that majority wish again to act m an unprincipled aad unscrupulous manner. Notwithstanding Councillor Rockstroyv's treachery, or pusillanimity, we care not which, the resolution would have been carried, had Messrs. Sansox and Gower dared it to the test. They did not, however, and thus proved their disoretion, at the expense of their courage. We shall take care that a copy of this paper shall be forwarded specially to Mr. Macandbew, to show him the status of the ambassadors, and the hurry they were m to report the success of their mission to the body from which they were supposed to have drawn their authority.