THE TOWN BOARD EMBROGLIO.

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1709, 26 January 1895, Page 2

THE TOWN BOARD EMBROGLIO.

(TO THE EdIIOR. )

Sin, —Withregardto he b >vel would like to point out that Mr E. Gallagher was returned at the head of the poll, thus proving that the ratepayers have confidence in him as their representative; also, that when a member is once declared elected by the Returning Officer, he can only be unseated by process of law, excepting in the following circumstances, viz., for nonattendance or bankruptcy. Neither of these circumstances having arisen he is as legally a member as the Chair man, and tho latter has no l ight whatever, either to refuse to allow his attendance to be recorded in the minutes, or to prevent him from takiug part in the business. There is no doubt that Parliament intended to prevent people from getting elected to local bodies in order to use their position to benefit themselves. Now Mr Gallagher held the position of poundkeeper before he was elected, and since his election offered to resign it, and it would be a difficult matter to prove that it is a position of profit; surely if there was no animus in the matter, that was the best way out of the and a very fair way. There is another view of the matter, and that is, that if Mr Gallagher, were not eligible it was the duty of the Returning Officer to reject his nomination paper, and not allow- him to get into a false position (if it be a false position). This is not the first instance in which that gentleman has allowed tho Board to drift into a false position, either for want of necessary knowledge or some other motive. —I am, etc., Another Ratepayer. (To the Editor.) Sir, —AS I am a person of little knowledge, will you kindly allow me space to ask a question of your correspondent, “lapyx” who writes under tho heading of “Thistledown”. As lapyx is apparently well versed in matters pertaining to religion, perhaps he will enlighten me by answering a simple question. When going to school I was taught that God made the world in six days, that on the first day He gave light unto the earth by saying “ let there be light.” I was taught also that aferwards God made the sun, moon and stars to give light ! Will lapyx tell me what gave light to the earth before the sun, moon, and stars were made ?—rl am, etc.,

Jack Simple.