THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue XI, 25 June 1880, Page 3

THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir, —I have, with many others, been Mpuch amused at the action of the legislators of the above body. In fact with a few exceptions that institution is composed of representatives utterly unfit to be entrusted with the direction of tho works or business i f the Borough. Is it possible to find another instance comparable with the muddle they have' drifted into financially, and the means they are about (o adopt to meet those liabilities, viz, increased taxation, and that upon those who are already taxed far beyond any people on the face of the globe. I think, Mr Editor, it would be well for those gentlemen to consider how much of a labourer's wages go towards taxation already, and not drive a peace loving community into some act in sheer desperation. I believe it is possible to overcome the difficulty without bringing the motion of Cr Mennie into force, and if our councillors cannot see a way, it is their duty to resign, and then we may find others who will pull us through without a dredge. It may Seem unre3sonable to write the foregoing without showing some cause for forming such an opinion. I may say I have many reasons to show c.^use for this decision, but I will content myself with the following, leaving the others for future correspondence:—lst. I do not think they have investigated sufficiently the expensive institution of which they are the directors, with a view to economise the expenditure in their difficulties. Ido not mean the works department, because money spent in neceseary works is well spent, but it is often the case, and the Borough is evidently no exception, the workmen are very often made victims to screen those who could be dispensed with, or at all events operated upon with a view to reducing expenses. Satisfactory to all concerned I refer to the following officials : Town Clerk, Collector, Valuator, Inspector of Health and Nuisances, Relieving Officer, Auditors, Librarian, extra work for office, and others of which lam not informed. Those officers are all deriving handsome salaries from the Borough, sufficient to command their whole time to their particular duties. Now I intend to take one of those officers, and if not misinformed, will deal with that—viz. Collector—as a specimen. That gentleman receives somewhere about £200 per annum. His duties are to write out and deliver the rating bills. At certain periods of the year he sits an hoar or two per day to collect the rates because should any one not have the money on band at the delivery of the bill, they are compelled to visit that gentleman at the office, and ia the event of neglecting to do so, he finds another official who then delivers him a request to attend upon his Worship the Magistrate, when he has the satisfaction of paying another little bill for that honor. Now I would ask how does our collector spend the remainder of his time? I am told he derives" an income from other sources sources carrying on a business as land and . estate agent, and other affairs which in all places him almost independent as to circumstances. Now I think with a view to economy our Councilors ought to amalgamate those* offices, in order to give a fair wage for a fair amount of work, because I often hear the remark by burgesses that there is a ring round those officers who spend their time in doing little and are well paid for their services. We occasionally see mistakes which are made where a little practical .knowledge would have saved vast outlay. I will not refer to past mistakes, but by the last report of the Works Committee I would like to caution that body against a proposition that they made, because by * carrying it into effect I know that they, will only throw away ratepayers' money. I do not believe in growling after a job is done. I refer to the laying of sheet iron in the Moanatairi culvert; I beg leave to assure them that owing to the mineralised water in that creek the iron will not stand three months. It has been proved to destroy 2in gas pipes in less than that time. Therefore I should say before going in for extra rates look well to those mafFers I have hinted; do not reduce your labour staff; get your macadimised roads made in this, the proper season, giving all the money you have proposed for that purpose, and put a carpenter with a bundle of oakum upon the Moanatairi culvert, with a few boards nailed inside to prevent chafing by boulders, which may be replaced when worn out, and lastly study the.interest of your constituents, which will be more to your horror than by trying to show smartness at the expense of His Worship the Mayor or your brother councillors. I have spoken thus stvongly because this is the time for action, not cavilling, and remember, since % I hare made a start at correspondence, you may hesr again from Old Beusheb.