THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MAKCH 29, 1880.
The arguments used by Councillors in dealing with the application of residents of Shortland re the laying of the 9-inch mains are very ones. Cr Wilkinson, the chosen of Shortland by.one vote, said he moved the resolution " to resent the implication of negligence on the part of the South Ward representatives, which the request contained." Fine argument indeed, but just about what might be expected from a man of his character. The ratepayers were not far wrong in their appreciation of the speaker's ability, shown by the result of the poll for the South Ward, and although the poor little individual has been years on the Thames, and has attempted times without number, to get elected upon Hospital Committees, Harbour Boards, and to other positions of trust, the offer ;of~iris'"services has
always been declined, in fact, he has invariably received the least number of votes at elections for such positions, and justly so. He has proved himself even on the first occasion he had an opportunity of speaking, unworthy the position he now holds, when he can so far forget his duty to his constituents as to refuse to entertain their offer of money, because, in his opinion it carries an implication of negligence. Another speaker said the writer must have known that the pipes did not belong to the Borough, and that the Water Supply was not their property. If both statements were true, which they are not, neither was sufficient to cause the Council to refuse to make fresh efforts to raise money for the one, and to bring about a settlement of the other, under the circumstances of a free will .offering of £150. Ee the pipes, they are practically, the Council's, rs that body has asked Mr McCaul to keep the pipes to allow time for money to bo raised for the purchase, and has guaranteed the importer against loss, which, if that gentleman cho3o to sell the pipes at 5s each, the Borough under its agreement would have to pay Lhe balance of their cost, aud in fact, the pipes will never be
allowed to leave tho Borough, where |hey are so much required. There is nothing to prevent the pipes being laidyif the inclination is in the Council to/ do so. The excuse previously giveu'by. the Council for not doing so was the want of means, and now, when nearly half the cosl of laying is offered, another set of excuses are advanced. As to the water supply, it can be the property of the Council to^ morrow if the County is met in a fair spirit, the latter borly being quite willing to give them all that is asked for within a reasonable'limit, and would probably advance money to pay for the pipes. The fact is, there is no disposition,to lay the pipes, and the Shortland people, notwithstanding that they tax themselves to the extent of £150, cannot move their representatives to even treat their off r courteously. The ratepayers of the South Ward may easily see how their representatives look after their affairs when they could support a motion dealing with afree-will offering of theirs, on the ground that it was to resent an implication of negligence. The cap fitted well, or they would not have so readily put it on. Cr McGowan, representing the North Ward, was the only one who treated the matter in a business-like manner, but in order to resent the implication of negligence the South Ward representatives rejected a wise amendment. The Council, when it suits them, will lay, down the pipes, and neither the offer of assistance nor the representation of the wishes of those most concerned will hasten that day. The actien, however, of the Council relieves those gentlemen who promised them aid, and the Council will, no doubt find when they think fit to lay the pipes, that the residents will think it unnecessary to aid them by paying a heavy voluntary rate. It is almost time that the South Ward representatives were called upon to resign, for the general opinion is that that Ward is less attended to than any other Ward in the Borough, end this latest action of its representatives goes far in proof of the assertion. We shall again refer to this subject, and in the meantime leave the matter in the hands of the ratepayers of the Southward.
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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3512, 29 March 1880, Page 2
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744THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MAKCH 29, 1880. Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3512, 29 March 1880, Page 2
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