ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 744, 29 August 1878, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING MAIL. Sir, —I hope you will excuse me in not thanking you before this time for tin; able manner in which you brought our grievances br-fore the public on the 23rd August. I hope you will now accept my tenderest thnnks for the able preface you placed before the report of public meeting held at Awamoko for consideration of Road Board matters, ao graphically related by Mr. D. Borrie. I presume, on your receiving said report, at a glance you saw that something racy was required. I hope Mr. D. Borrie's pulse felt relieved after discharging his part of the performance. In opening the meeting I called on those present to support the chair, and give a fair hearing to every speaker. Your report commences with an untruth and finishes with another. Mr. Smillie-s ghost must have been haunting Mr. Borrie wium he arrived in Oamaru on the 23rd. I may here state that Mr. Borrie contributed a full share of whatever liveliness was created. On Mr. Borrie requiring to know Act. and clauses I showed him that the Board mado the Act to comply with their manufactured rates. When I requested hiin to read different clauses he knew better than me, so I allowed him to flounder away until he fairly entangled himself. Owing to the length of time he entertained the meeting, I was unable to get another heirinLT, and was forced to make the following amendment —" That this meeting do nor endorse the action of the Waitaki Road Board as to division of funds, and placing the main roads on our subdivision." Six voted for motion and three against. Mr. Borrie may thank Mr. Johnatqne for holding back facta that in my opinion would have upset the motion altogether. We are informed man has a free will, therefore I accept the position, accepting Mr. Borrie'B challenge. I request him to show me where he gets his balance-slvjet with two distinct accounts and only one rate, as he so sternly advances. Also by what Act of P.T-Uamcnt he derives the Board's authority Vor subdividing rates collected for the making and maintenance of main r.qads. It ap : pears to me that the Board stands in the same position as the Dunedin City Councillors to their funds, if specified for distinct purposes.. Some of your readers may have seen in the Home papers how that a case is being tried at Newcastle-on-Tyne, testing the powers taken by City Councils' ag ■to eEpendinj* public moneys in receptions giveii to any public man, The case alluded to wag commenced on account of fie expenditure entered upon in giving a reception to General Grant. Prom memory the judge made remarks against the councillors. I am, &c, Peter Aitchison. Waikoura, August ?f, ■