CR. HUNTER’S CANDID OPINION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 21, 19 December 1916, Page 3

CR. HUNTER’S CANDID OPINION.

[To The Editor '’tratford Post.) Sir, — I believe* only on one or two occasions in sixteen years ■'have I asked your indulgence. On this occasion 1 ask to turn on a little light. His Worship tin* Mayor seems rather fond of discussing public questions through tin* medium of the press, which, however, is no concern of mine, hut on last Thursday his letter in the “Stratford, Evening Post” referred to me in a way that creates an impression contrary to facts. 1 . have never bad any trouble with any of the Borough officials and 1 cannot sec why he brings in Mr Spilman and Mr Sullivan, unless it is to give Mr Newtoif a little smack and the Town Clerk a little boost. He says the •trouble is that Mr Newton wants to do the Town Clerk’s work. If he had said the Conned made an error in defining the duties of the Town Clerk and. the Electrical Engineer, and C’nnt the Town Clerk wanted to do, and lie was willing that the Town Clerk should do what Mr Newton ought to have the right to do, in my candid judgment that would be nearer the facts. His Worship says that In* read over the resolutions to me at noon before the meeting which is time, but the way they were explained to me was quite a different proposition to the real thing, and the copy I had was handed to me a few minutes,' before we voted on them, and had they been distributed on the Council tables Mr Newton would have seen them and, I feel quite sure, it was not intended for him to see them until, they were passed. I asked that Mr Newton might conn* in while discussing them after his salary had been fixed. Tin* request was refused. I would call the public’s attention to the fact that Mr Newton was the manager of a concern that changed ownership and conditions were imposed upon him without him ever seeing them before Ids reappointment. He* had only two things to do: either resign or violate the conditions. /I think Mr Newton intended to resign, hut a number of citizens asked him not to as they hoped tin* conditions would he righted. Councillor Thompson stated at the last Council meeting,, that the resolution was not as he thought it to be when read over to him and gave notice to move at the January meeting, that the objectionable .clause* he rescinded. Mr Newton asked that the clause he modified and both myself and Councillor Thompson did our best to get the matter righted in committee, but the Town Clerk objected and His \N orship and Councillor Young (the other members of the Lighting Comm; tee) allowed him to have Ids way. My sense of perspective may he wrong, but it seems to me the Town Clerk runs things about as he desires, witnout help or hindrance. He speaks at the meetings, of both the Council and Committee ami objects to that which does not suit him. I certainly think lie takes up a wrong attitude as to Ids position and authority as a Borough official. He asked for the complete commercial management ol the electrical undertaking, as he •claims tin* Town Clerk is the chief officer of the Borough, and that no correspondence should go out that docs not go through his hands. His Worship also takes up the position that it is not official unless signed by the Clerk. 1 am not informed whether the Clerk signs His Worship’s letters in order to make them official. To put tin* whole business in ;| nutshell, 1 claim that Mr Newton’s contention is right when the Council authorises an order to he made (and Mr Newton cannot make neihorised uv tne

Council). He should sign and send th.e order away and receive the correspondence in relation thereto as nearly all eoutiili* techuieiii IHllli*'' that, we pay tho Engineer to have a knowledge of. On sending the order he makes three copies* one he retains, one gilt's to the house he sends the -order to, and the other goes to the Town Clerk for the purpose of book-keeping. The only hone of contention is who shall send the order after made out; the Clerk or the Electrical Engineer, and who slut II receive the correspondence in relation to tile order. .As this is a big undertaking it is perhaps well that the time is not far distant when the ratepayers will have an opportunity to give an expression of their desire in electing a Mayor and Council to control the management of flic electrical undertaking for the next two years. 1 am not imputing to anyone motives other than what they believe to be right, hut it is not difficult to see that we have very divergent view? on the management of the elect idea undertaking.—-1 am, etc., S. B. HENTER.