MR QUINN IN REPLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1213, 5 August 1884, Page 2

MR QUINN IN REPLY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —If the leading article appearing in your issue of Saturday last was founded on the truth, and consequently believed, I should not have been surprised if my resignation aa a member of the Town Board had been demanded by a large majority of the ratepayers. As I am rather proud than otherwise of the r'n.rt taken by me in the several matters mentioned by you, I should not have considered it worth the trouble I undertake in answering your accusations if the minority of the ratepayers were aa thoroughly conversant as the majority with the motives that guide yonr sweet and , bitter leading articles in nine instances out of ten. Re increase of publicans’ license fees.—Haring with others bad legal advice as to the right of the Board to demand the same fees as Borough Councils, I thought it only right of me to caution the Board against deciding hastily, as should they insis't, under the sole advice of Mr Aspinall, that the higher fee be paid, the funds of the Board might be frittered away in law. The fees claimed have been paid by the whole of the hotelkeepers of the town under protest, and steps are in progress to recover, by District Court actions, the amount so paid in excess. I think had I quietly allowed the Board to commit an illegal act I should be deservedly blamed by the ratepayers for my silence. Re By-laws. —ln reference to my opposition to the adoption of by-laws. I objected to them being drafted in such a stringent manner as to be oppressive and obnoxious to the public, holding that the fewer the clauses the better it would be for all concerned. The Board proposed to levy a fen on hotel billiard rooms, Volunteer Hall, and to prevent slaughtering cattle, etc. I pointed out the absurdity of thinking the Board could impose a fee on such billiard roomSj as they formed a part of a building already licensed. My view was held to be correct after enquiries. I did not consider it just, and said so, to tax the Volunteer Hall, on the ground tint the public, conjointly with the Volunteer-, had a certain interest in the building ; that although a fair charge is made f<>r travelling companies, yet in dealing with concerts and gatherings fur the local welfare, the charge is so reduced as to barely cover the expenses; and hi - heving that the imposition of a license fee would result in the volunteers increasing the charge for the hall, in tin interest of the public 1 opposed the clause, I regret to say unsuccessfuMy.. Had I not been successful in the matter of slaughtering cattle, eic., any and every ratepayer would have been compelled to go outside the limits of the to.m in order to take the life of a sucking pig, and possibly even that of a rooster. I am quite aware that it is necessary to prevent nuisances arising from slaughtering, but the Board has ample means to prevent such under the Public Health Act. I opposed also the adoption of a number,of other clauses,,

on the ground that such were embodied in«the Canterbury Police under the heading of Offences within Towns, and also under the Vagrant Act, consequently I did not think it necessary to introduce these clauses, because the Ordinance would still remain law within the boundaries of the town, ms the public would find out if they broke them. Tepders.—l am sure that erery member of the Board knows that ray remarks on this subject were made with the best intentions, and solely for the despatch of business. In proposing that the Clerk open tenders in future, I stated that if such a course was followed it would allow the Board to go on with other business until such time as the Clerk had arranged the tenders in order. As to its being considered an insult, I am sure the members of the Board have far more sense than to b« insulted at such a reasonable proposal. Commercial Street Footpath.-—Ths Clerk having been requested; to on the most urgent works, in compliance , therewith produced such report at a meeting held on the 17th July, and among other recommendations advised the formation of the foothpath in question. Some discussion ensued, after which I proposed that plans and specifications for the formation and concrete kerbing of the same be prepared. Mr Birth suggested that I should add concrete channelling.. I readily agreed, stating that it would be far better to do all work in a substantial manner,' even if. the revenue only permitted ten chains per year to be undertaken. This view was endorsed, and the resolution was duly seconded and carried. But, strange to say, at the next meeting the demeanour and views of the members suddenly changed, after the appearance of Mr Job Brown. Instead of being enthusiastic advocates of good instead of indifferent footpaths, they considered and decided that the latter would be the best, so that local industries might have a chance to breathe, the substance of their argument being that if Mr Job Brown was not permitted to monopolize an important footpath and half the street 1 to avoid employing three men instead of a hard worked" one, local industries for all ages to come were doomed In order .to prevent such a catastrophe taking place, the Chairman very sensibly recommended an escape by advising the omission of the street from the operation of the by-laws. • Some of the members thought it advisable to leave the footpath in nearly its present state, and said in effect, if not in actual word*, if that was done, and Mr Job Brown dodged the policeman when committing a breach of the law, all would he well, for local industries would flourish apace. Yon, sir, in accordance with your ordinary good sound sense, suggest that the proper way out of "the difficulty would be for the police to be informed that Mr Job Brown has the Town Board’s permission to break the law bnt I rather doubt the correctness of your reasoning that in such case all would he settled and no more be heard about it. For myself, I think “ what is law for one should be Jaw for all,” and j doubt the wisdom, leading honesty out of view, of the by-law makers becoming by-law breakers, and under this opinion I shall act for the future whilst connected with public affairs, with the same honesty, fearlessness -and impartiality as I have endeavoured to do in the past; and although you state that my experience has been, wholly derived from Road Board work, I think that I have nothing to be ashamed of in that respect—Yours etc., M. Quinn. Temuka, 4th August, 1884. [As Mr Quinn wound up his letter with his characteristic .rn h-ness we have expunged I hat part. \W should like Mr Quinn to test the feelings of his brother commissioners as to whether our remarks were true or not.—The Editor. 3