HARBOR BOARD MIS-REPRESENTATIVES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2333, 22 March 1892, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD MIS-REPRE-SENTATIVES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, Harbor Board ratepayers are largely indebted to you for your consistent advocacy of their rights, and in defending their pockets against the depredations and incursions of a xnisrepresentative majority of the Harbor Board. But in defiance of all implied and expressed opinion, for which they openly profess the most profound contempt, they evidently intend to put into execution this mad, unjustifiable, and ill-considered scheme. Ratepayers have now before them the proposals adopted, and they would do well to earnestly consider and ponder over them, and realise their meaning ere it be too late. The annual expenditure for shifting shingle will be £2(50, and preliminary outlay £BOOO. Now, in twenty years the ratepayers will have paid £51,200, to say nothing of interest or compound interest, and all ratepayers will possess to represent this sum will be a heap of old iron, and as much shingle as we possess to-day, and nothing more. But there is no necessity to linger over details; let it suffice for ratepayers to assert itheir right to decide how their money shall be spent. If this accidental majority should realise that they are not ir touch with their constituents (and they are certainly not) their duty is perfectly clear, and there should be no hesitation in doing it. They should resign, and give their constituents an opportunity of electing a representative in accordance with their views. But evidently by their utterances they do not intend to adopt this coarse ; they prefer

i to defy public opinion and ignore it. Mr i Gibson sounded the keynote of the . majority at the Harbor Board meeting r when he said : “ I insist on the necessity : of a representative being fx-ee to use hia ; own judgment, untrammelled by outside opinion.” This is in efiect the whole policy of the Harbor Board,, i and we, poor unfortunate ratepayers, are ■ expected to submit to any reckless, illi considered scheme for squadering our money—and this simply to allow seven men free to use their judgment—mistaken ! untrammelled by public opinion ! But ratepayers cannot afford to act upon this adyice so gratuitously given, for the simple reason that they have to pay for it if accepted. Geraldine has in no uncertain j, voice told their representative that he faithfully represents the views of his ' constituents. Temuka ratepayers are not one jot less public-spirited, so let them record their opinion, and tell their member of the Harbor Board whether he represents or misrepresents them, and his duty will be plain. Eatepayera have pleaded and are pleading for delay, and ip their pleading one wish alone animates and prompts them —it is an earnest and sincere desire to consider and mature the wisest and best plans for securing the safety, progress, and prosperity of the Port of Timaru, and thereby forward the true interest of each individual ratepayer and South Canterbury generally.—l am, etc., G.J.W. [A fortnight ago a requisition was pre- v sented to the Chairman of the Temuka Town Board asking him to call a meeting. At a private meeting held subsequently preliminary arrangements were made for the meeting. Nothing hrs been done ' since.—Ed.]