GENTEEL BEGGING.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1090, 24 September 1883, Page 3

GENTEEL BEGGING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your issue of the 19th iust. a sub-leader appeared under the above heading, which, I think, is calculated to mislead the public, and pul the action of the Railway Demonstration Committee in an unfair light. I therefore ask you to allow me to say a few words in explanation.

The Committee from the first regarded the question of the holiday on the occasion of the Railway opening as a public matter, and invited the Mayor to represent the town; in receiving the guests ; who comprised the Municipal representatives of the neighbouring . towns, and some of the railway officials. It cannot surely be expected that the Borough is to get the credit of hospitality on such an occasion at the sole expense of private individuals. The only oversight has been in uot getting a sum of money voted by the Borough Council previous to the demonstration, but this does not relieve the Council from its moral obligation to contribute something towaids entertaining its visitors, and that is all the Committee asks it to do, and this would be done by any other borough in the Colony. The Committee, therefore, cannot regard their lequest as begging in any sense, but urge it as a right.

The arrangements were carried out successfully, at a reasonable expense, and at great personal trouble to many of the committee, and the visitors expressed themselves well pleased with their treatment. Surely it would be very mean on the part ol the town —by its representatives the Borough Council —to say to the committee who have all contributed their share to the expenses. “We are glad the town upheld its reputation for hospitality, and now we have had the credit of it, you can pay the deficiency caused by entertaining our guests.” Such treatment would naturally deter any townsman from assisting to do anything to uphold the credit ol the Borough on a future occasion.— Yours, &c., R. C. Tennent, Chairman Railway Demonstration Committee, Patea, Sept 24.