COUNTY MISMANAGEMENT.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3469, 6 February 1880, Page 2

COUNTY MISMANAGEMENT.

(To the Editor of the Efening Star.) Sib, —I wish to bring before the public, with your permission, through the medium of your valuable paper, a few facts in relation to the way in which Mr Brodie and his friends mismanage County matters on the Thames during the present .dull times. I may state that a 'short time ago a notice was inserted in the papers to the effect that any persons desiring to work out their rates could do so. la accordance with that notice I presented myself and went to work. On the next day the foreman politely enquired what the amount of my rates were, and I told him they amounted to twelve shillings. He then informed me that I could knock off that night. I had a mate who went on at the same time. The foreman did not aslc.him any such questions, and after he took his departure I asked my mate how much his rates were, and he told me ten shillings. That is now a fortnight or more ago, and the man is still working ; why he should be favored I am at a loss to know. I can certainly plead guilty to havin#-a larger family, also; tobeing a younger man (not that old age would be any disqualification as far as County labor is concerned); the only thing is that I am not on such brotherly terms of friendship with the powers that be. It cannot be on the score of past favors having been plentifully bestowed, for the simple reason that during all the years I have resided within the limits of the County, I have had the pleasure of working four weeks—that, I may state, was on the occasion of Mr Brodie's candidature for the Assembly; when that gentleman retired, we had to do likewise. At that time anyone possessing a rote could obtain employment from the County whether he was a Freemason or not; it did not even matter whether he was a ratepayer or not. I believe, Sir, that although a little ring exists in the Council, it does not comprise the whole of the members and to those gentlemen I would respectfully appeal, and ask them to enquire whether or not it is a fact that men who pay large rates, and are able and willing to do a fair day's work for their money are refused employment to allow the toadies of one or two of the Thames County Council to monopolize all the good things, I, would only ask those gentlemen to see that the favours are distributed equally, but if you must mak* a distinction, let it be in favour of the* the mau who is able to do his work without respect to creed, country, or" society. If they do this they will confer a favour oa all, and they will satisfy James Porteb. Wniotahi Creek, February 0,1880,