TOWN BOARD V. RATEPAYERS.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 246, 18 August 1877, Page 2

TOWN BOARD V. RATEPAYERS.

(To the Editor of the Patea .Mail.) Sir—You will oblige me very much by giving space to a few remarks in reference to the late meeting of ratepayers, held in the Resident Magistrate’s Court. In the first place, it was found very difficult to obtain a Chairman, I suppose on account of the unpleasant nature of the business, but, ultimately, the services of Mr J. Gibson were obtained ; who, I am sorry to say, did not meet with the support lie should have—but, I am sure, he made all kinds of allowance for us ; owing to the importance of the business, a little excitement could not bo avoided. The Chairman then read the advertisement calling the meeting, and in a few brief words explained the object of the meeting. Mr G. then introduced the little man, who, as soon as he was let loose, commenced a most rambling, uncalled for,

statement (to kill time, of course), as usual explaining how he had done this, and how he had' done that ; antHu his interview with the Hon. Major Atidnson in reference to this and to that, —and that while ho was in Wellington he loft nothing undone that would a'l'ecl our interest. In fact, after his very long and painful siieecli, the ratepayers wen' just as wise as before ho commenced, lie then called upon the Secretary of the Board to read over a list of certain lands, their position, Ac., which, 1 believe, would have taken the said gentleman two hours at the least, to say mulling of the misery we should have had to endure in ii-tcuiug to that which on!v some two or tiiroe knew-any-thing about, as I have staled before in this letter (to kill time), hut it did not come oil.

in the little man’s remarks, a letter was produced and read m rotcrcnce to the advice of the Board s hagai adviser, Mr iliimiucTlon, of New Plymouth. Now, I may he wrong, if so. 1 am open to correction, but I believe there was no date read from the said letter, as to when that advice was given. If it was in August, 1870, as [ firmly believe it was, 1 would like to know if the same advice would be given now in August 1877. I question it very much ; but, as the business is not quite settled, I must refrain from clashim** the opinions of competent legal I shall take this opnort unity o f jug the misunderstanding between and Mr J. Milroy, a member ( d the Board. 1 was ml her surprise *} t<> lose his temper, in such a tr.k/u'td hnwjpp live members of the Board. u« to the meeting, that. I had applied to him for fencing materia! to ieiice the disputed .sections, and that 1 had called tor 1 coders for the same. 1 now slat", pulnie'y, that it is untrue, and that he. can ascertain from tlie proprietor of the Patka Maii. who the fence was for, and where the fence was to be erected. I must now conclude with a few remarks. From the majority of the ratepayers present at the men!mg in reference to the actions of the mem hers of the Town Board as regards the bungle ol: allairs that they have allowed themselves to ho drawn into, by tin! influence of one, if not two, of the members —I think if they wore to wash o!f all their faults, mid gave us a chance of commencing alresh with a little fre.-h blood, by resigning in a body, we slum Id all feel the change; and the sooner the better. —Yours, &c., JAMES LETT.