BOROUGH TACTICS.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2910, 13 June 1878, Page 2

BOROUGH TACTICS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.)

Sib,—^-Ifc is a rule of the Civil Service that Government officers are prohibited from newspaper controversy. I ■ do not think I am infringing that rule by supplying you with the following facts : It is well known that I was for some years Chairman of the Parawai District Board, during which period the district rapidly improved, and all tLe leisure time I could spare from my public duties were devoted to its interests. It cannot be wondered at, therefore, that I still have the same feelings ao to the welfare of Parawai; and if, as a holder of- property therein, I entertain an opinion advene to its being amalgamated with the Borough. Such, however is my opinion. I should not think it proper as a Government officer to say this publicly had,l not, on account of this opinion,. been twice this morning subject-d to insult and intimidation by representatives of the Borough. In the first instance, I wag threatened by Or Eead publicly in my office, that if I continued actively to oppose the amalgamation he, and others acting with him, would petition the Government to restrain me. This I take to mean that 01 pain of dismissal from office I must submit in silence to any injury the Borough authorities may desire to inflict on myself and other ratepayers; i That I did not kick Councillor Bead oat of the office is due to the fact that I have respect for myself as a gentleman, as a Magistrate and an officer, of the Government, and also for the Government I serve. My answer to Councillor Head may be pretty weH imagined from this letter. The second instance of intimidation was. managed indirectly' by another Borough potentate, who, I have reason to believe on authority on which I rely, was His Worship the Mayor himself. Within a few minutes after Councillor Read's conversation with me, I have reason to believe that the Mayor waited on Captain Fraser and expressed views similar to Councillor Head's. I make no comment on the facts, otherwise than to remark that, however reluctant I might have been to write on this subject, I feel constrained to let the ratepayers know the extent to wt:ch the party in the Borough, who wish the dismemberment of Parawai, will go to carry out their ends. Your obedient Servant, Albert J. 'llom. Thursday, N on. -: [The above calls for no comment, at present. The "tactics" described are calculated to defeat the ends of the party employing them. —Ed ] _ . :