INDIGNATION AT WAIMATE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2140, 30 January 1880, Page 2

INDIGNATION AT WAIMATE.

A so-called Indignation Meeting was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Waimate last evening. The meeting was for the purpose of ascertaining the opinion of the ratepayers as to the recent action of the Borough Council in accepting the tender of an applicant as Clerk and Engineer at a salary of £250 per annum, the applicant being already a foreman of works at £l5O, whilst the gross revenue from rates at one shilling in the pound would not exceed £4BO. Notwithstanding that the advertisement eouA'cning the meeting was anonymous, the hall was well tilled. At first there was a difficulty in finding a speaker. Eventually Air (f. B. Freeman was voted to the chair, and asked the conveners to come forward. Several persons were called upon, hut they each denied having anything to do with the affair. Mr Middleton finally came forward and. explained his views on the matter. He said the Council did not want an Engineer, as Mr Hillary had taken all the levels, and had kindly furnished the Borough Council with a complete set of plans, besides offering further assistance if required. He considered an injustice had been done to the applicautswho led to tender for the Clerk’s office only. (Applause.) Several other speakers followed and the following resolution was carried—- “ That this meeting is of opinion that the Borough Council acted against the wishes of flic ratepayers in voting £250 ami that they be asked to re-considcr their decision.”

Tlk? meeting terminated with theusua" vote of thanks to the Chairman.