CARLYLE TOWN BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 124, 17 June 1876, Page 2

CARLYLE TOWN BOARD.

(to the editor of the patea mail.) Sin, —Anonymous contributions to newspapers are, if not always, generally, objectionable, as under a non de plume a stab in tbe dark may be given, a slur cast, or an injury committed,and tbe party aggrieved may, and often does, suspect wrong parties of being tbe writers. For that reason I beg to sign my own name to this. When a number of electors are duly convened for the purpose of appointing some of their number to represent the whole on a Town Board, Provincial Council, or House of Representatives, it clearly becomes the duty of the minority to bow to the decision of the majority, and so far as reasonable to render their hearty assistance to their members as a body, in carrying out any measure for the general good. Instead of which we often find, particularly in Carlyle, puerile bickering, mis-represcntation, and base inuendoes. The latter course is unmanly and injudicious. At the last election of members for the Town Board, I happened to vote with the minority, but at the same time I fully intend to bow to, and act on, my own dictum as laid down above, so long as the Board appear to be acting generally fair and reasonable.

At the same time, I consider the obligation between the electors and the Board to be a mutual one, and that in all matters of great importance the Board should not act hurriedly, and in many cases time might be given to discuss matters outside, which would enable members to consult with the ratepayers, and be to some extent guided by their views and wishes, not of course that the members should have no mind or opinion of their own ; but information is often required, and generally useful. In order to effect this most desirable object, I woidd respectfully submit, that, in any matter of importance, notice of motion should bo tabled at one meeting, to be brought forward for discussion at the next. It must be hyperdiaphonous to the meanest capacity that such a course would be beneficial in itself, both to the members of the Board, and to the community at largo. Judging from the very meagre report of the last meeting, as per Patka Mah., 14th June, two very important items were b-ought forward and passed. I allude to the raising of the salary of the Town Clock from CIO to £SO per annum, and also the making of the road to Milroy’s wharf. With regard to the first item, £lO per annum was a miserable stipend, but if the clerk considered lie was able to do the work at that lime for that money, in what way have (he duties increased- to such an extiaordinary extent ? The vote having passed it is really useless now to ask for information. That the clerk performs his dudes well there can be no question, hut had notice hem given beforehand of such intention, people outside the Board might have made enquiry. Again with regard to Mr Milroy’s wharf, I am informed that Mr Taplin, a member of the Board, objected very strongly to the work being undertaken, as it was, to private property, and for individual benefit. Whether this is true or not I am unprepared to say, but the newspaper from some cause or other is strangely silent on the subject. There is another point on which the paper is also silent. That is the amount proposed to be expended on that road. I have made enquiries outside, and find the estimates vary from fifteen pounds to two hundred pounds. There certainly is a wide margin between the two figures. The Board have doubtless good and sufficient reason for the above expenditure, but outsiders have not the means, under the prevailing system, of making enquiries or offering suggestions—till too late. I believe Mr Taplin brought forward a resolution in re the engineering surveys of the town, but this is also unreported. I am not in a position to know the probable income of the Town Board for the ensuing year, but belie.ve it will be' from £SOO to £7OO. I think it would not be much trouble, and would give great satisfaction, were the Board to prepare and publish an estimate of probable receipts and proposed expenditure, in a similar manner to that adopted by the different Road Boards.

In conclusion, I would remark that I cannot see in the newspaper anything relative to the improvement of Bcdfordstreet, to the completion of the footpath opposite the Town Hall, or the improvement of the footpath to the Court House. Hoping I have not taken up too much of your space, and trusting I have not in any way given offence to the Town Board, individually or collectively, I am, &c., JAMES HIRST.