THE TOWN HALL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3474, 30 April 1920, Page 5

THE TOWN HALL.

(To The Editor.) Sir.—ln reply to Mr Joblin’s letter in answer to my charges in connection with the letting of the Town Hall, I wish to point out most emphatically that I did not intend to suggest that the Town Clerk, or any member of the Borough staff, was receiving any financial benefit‘from the actions of which I complained. When I used the Word "'collusio-n” I did no‘; know that the word necessarily implied fraud, and now that I am acquainted with the only possible meaning of the word, I have no hesitation whatever in uni-eservedly withdrawing it. During the whole of the negotiations I was convinced all the time that Mr Menzies was honestly endeavouring to protect the interests of the lessee, because he considered that the lessee’s interests were the inter-,es-ts of the Council and ratepayers so ifar as the protection of a. permanent itenant at £7 per week was concernied. I did not intend to imply that the }[Town Clerk’s motives were dishonest tin any way, and he must know that [We appreciated at the time his frank and open statenicnt of his position tO~ >Wards us. *

One other matter in Mr Joblinfs} letter calls for comment, and that is,‘ his reference to my not being con-; versant with the regulations goVern—“ ing the letting of the Town,Hall. In: reply to this, I neetl only state thati When I placed my interpretation of the scale, regulations, and What I knew of the conditions of lease before Mr Joblin, he whole-heartedly supported me on ttvo occasions. Ob-‘sic-nsly, Mr Joblin must have been of the same opinion as myseljfi, with reference to the regulations, and in accusing me of not !being conversant with the regulations, he is therefore, also accusing himself. If Mr Joblin Mnow thinks that I Was Wrong in the ifirst instance, it would be equivalent tto admitting that he was wrong in ‘supporting us; However, I will reply further to Mr Joblinowhen he replies in detail to my previous letter.-—-I am, etc., ’ h .

E.‘ LENLHAN.