ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 499, 13 March 1880, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

[We are at all times ready to give expression to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible i'or the sentiments ol our correspondents,] {To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Sir, —I must say I was rather astonished at the contents of Mr Kenah’s letter which appeared in the issue of your paper of the 6th instant. Me says he defended the late Board, who had done good work, hut being now defunct, should be allowed to rest. They did good work for Mr Kenah, no doubt, and he is satisfied. I stated in a previous letter that lie had no reason to complain of the late Board’s actions. But he testifies strongly his disapprobation of the present Board's action, on account of a resolution passed at their first meeting. Now, sir. the question is—who constituted the late Board, and who are the' meinbers of the present one ? Were not three members of lito late Board returned, the other two being non-candidates. Now, Mr Kenah must know that the late Board are not dead nor defunct, but are reanimaP'd with new' life and vigor. What the late Board were accused of doing in the privacy of their office, the present one has proclaimed from the housetops. As the Board consists of five members, and members of the late Board were returned/ 1

these three members can carry or defeat any measure, they * being; in the majority Mr Keuah commends the late Board on the manner in which they have done their work, knowing at the same time that the ratepayers never had the slightest information what had been done with their rates and subsidy. But, marvellous, he then goes on to say that such a system is fit only for the grinding injustice of the dark ages, and should be relegated to the oblivion it merits, and that all public business should have the widest possible publicity ; and surely those who intend to act im : partiahy will court rather than avoid investigation. With these sentiments of Mr Kenali’sliutirelv agree, arid I am very glad lie has expressed them. But how ho can commend tiie late Board fur what they did, and so very strongly condemn the present one for proposing to do the very same thing,is a myse ytome. I think it is very evident that this local system of government, which is expected to he the salvation of the colony, if it is at all likely to be attended with success, will only be by the administrating bodies doing their work impartially, and making all their proceedings public. lam glad Mr Kenah has had his eyes opened regarding the proceedings of the present Board, it he does remain stone-blind to the proceedings of the late one.—l am, &c., WILSON MILNE. Waverley, March 11, 1880.