The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 66, 27 November 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1875.

As our vadm-s jut aw.n-c, a requisition was r.-cently got up t<> tlio m-wly cb*.-tcd (/! ’;; i r;: ia of the ifdncaiion Board, asking him to convene a special meeting of tin; 1- body, for the purpose of recunsitL'i'jno’ their resolve so le«.-.e the Kdnnational reserves i.y tender instead of public* ;ni! iioii, This document, signed l>y «, large !i;mi!n!i' of ratepayers, including illo chief property holders in the dislriet, was presented to Mr Middleman on Tm-aday las*. On iO receipt that gem leman said O' won id consult 1• io individual members of the Hoard I).dure giving any reply, and having’ done so ho declines to cad! (ho asked for meeting, on (lie ground that four out of the sew n, ■onioo.-ing; the Hoard, are determined In I old to their criginal resolution, and, in face of public opinion immistakcahly pronounced, adhere to the possible hole ill the corner system, in Hen ol open and straightforward public compel it ion. We regret, at the very outset of his taking office, to he compelled to criticise the very extraordinary conduct of the Chairman in connection with this matter. In the first place the requisition, petition, or -whatever it may he termed, was both numerously and iidluculiaiiy signed, am! as Mr Middleman was personally aware, a very large number of additional signatures could have been procured had it been necessary. In fact, without the least exaggeration, we are confident that three-fourths at Cast ofall the ratepayers, had time been allowed, would have appended I heir signatures. Knowing tins, as the Chairman did know, his dis-

courtesy. in refusing to cad a meeting as vermesteij. is neither more nor less

titan positive insult to tie;; ratepayers, and evinces an amount < >i contempt lor them and their opinions, m.t usual in public men. Cven 1 hough the Board reafiirmed their last recoin;ion, it would have only been due courtesy to have called a meeting as requested. Anytltingmoreelnidisnly weak an.'! ridiculous than to wander round to the different members, document in hand, and ask them if they had changed their minds, could hardly be conceived. Whether the .Hoard would or would not rescind (heir previous resolution had nothing whatever to do with calling the meeting. A large number, a majority of ratepayers indeed, wished it,and had Mr Middlomas understood the first principles that should guide him in his present position, lie would have called the meeting without considering the results. It is an exceedingly bad beginning, and it is to be hoped that experience vnllbiing much needed wisdom to this gentleman. Without further comment on him or his actions, it mavh l well to consider the position of antagonism to public opinion that the Board lias, through its Chairman, taken up. The disposal ot the reserves is of due most vital interest to all who have to pay school rates in the district, and, the larger the sum obtained from this source, the loss will be re-

quiml from ratepayers,and,consequently, the highest price possible should be realised from them. This is, admittedly, by way of auction, and it is uot necessary to recapitulate arguments t 0 prove it. Notwith, l standing, in the lace of larger income being realised by one system than by the other, though one is open and above hoard, without the possibility of anything underhand being carried on, though a very large majority of these chiefly' interested are anxious that auction shall be substituted for tender, Messrs Middlomas, Milroy, Christie, and Contts defy public opinion, and the weak-minded Chairman refuses oven to call a mooting to iv-considor tlio matter. Tlie question now comes as to bow the ratepayers should proceed. Four men who, constitute a majority of the Board, have resolved on disposing of valuable public property in a manner which is opposed to the wishes and the interests of (heir constituents, and they even refuse an opportunity of re-con-sideration. It must be remembered, in connection with these leases, that they are not for a year or two, but will exist for terms of 14 or 21 years, and whether they fetch high or low rates, those obtained will he maintained for these periods, a generation almost. It is therefore above all things necessary that the most should be obtained, mul that all available means to this end should be exercised. The four members above mentioned think differently, they are opposed to the feeling of the public, and no longer possess public confidence. As they have shown such obstinacy it it behoves the jmblic to apjdy aii the moral pressure at command, without delay; this can be done by the ratepayers requesting these g< ntlenmn to resign, and by holding meetings in various parts for that purpose. Li doing so they will consult their direct and matirial interests, for, as we stated on a previous occasion, just in proportion to the larger income obtained from the reserves, will the burthen of taxation be lifted from the backs of the ratepayers. Open defiance and contempt for the jmblic has been manifested by the quartet designated above, it is for thepnblictosay whether they will tamely submit to be thus ridden rough-shod over, or whether they will compel attention and respect from those who jirofess to represent thorn in the Education Board. On the heads of (he jmblic will bo, and out of their purses will corn', the penalty, should the majority ’carry out their declared determination. If action be taken there is no time to lose.