THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3604, 15 July 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1880.

In an article of the peculiar ityle of our contemporary, illogical and untruthful, the writer attempts to defend the late action of the Borough Council which we thought fit to question in a late issue. The presiding genius of our staff it accused of forgetfulness in not remembering that retrenchment is necessary because of the extravagance of a former Borough administrator, but we are left with the assertion, no evidence being given of where the extraragance existed; and then an op> portunity is taken of finding fault with the late Mayor's management. The true cause of the Borough's chronic state of impecuni* osity is to be found in the fact that since its constitution in 1874, its income has never been sufficient for its requirements ; fir, unlike other municipalities, it has been totally without (until last year) any endowment, or a revenue beyond the rates paid by the burgesses, with the subsidies and license fees. During the first two years of the Borough's existence, the orerdraft at the bank reached £6000, which was paid by the Government, but as the income of the Borough did not increase, and the expenditure continued much the same, of course another debt was contracted at the bank until the time the late Mayor took office, when the amount was £2400, exclusive of the liabilities on account of the Water .Committee. It may be remembered that it was during the Mayoralty of Mr Macdonald the said Water Supply Corporation was constituted, and during the time of Dr Kilgour the Borough gave the foolish undertaking to become responsible to the Bank for six-eighths of any sums advanced by the Bank to that Corporation. It was also in 1878 that the famous order for pipes to McCaul was given-—which has entailed so much loss to that gentleman and so much misfortune to the Borough. Therefore had it not been for the Borough becoming responsible for the Water Bupply Committee's liabilities, and advancing £500 to the Harbor Board, (both

of which were incurred long before the much abused ex-Mayor took office), the Borough at the end of the late term would hare had a credit balance in the hands of the treasurer. The pleader in the Advertiser further says an advance of subsidies was obtained through the importunity of the ex-Mayor, and the credit of his successor in a measure discounted ; bat here stands the case P On Mr McCullough taking office on 19th December, 1878, he found that the sub sidy which should hare been due on the 31st following had been obtained three months previously and spent, and the Bank was £2400; yet notwithstanding during his term of office extensive works were carried out, the current expenditure met, and besides, the bank had been paid its overdraft. In the matter of subsidies, certainly that due 31st March, 1880, had been obtained, but more s credit than otherwise is due for that deed, as since, his successor has not been able to obtain any. In the matter of the liability of the Water Supply being paid by the Borough it was done under the distinct understanding with the manager of the Bank that in estimating the liabilities of the Borough that amount should not be included. This fact more than one person is aware of, but in the letter from the Bank, /quoted by our contemporary, it would appear such an arrangement had been forgotten by the manager. Had it not been for this charge being debited to the Borough account, as we said before, there would have been no overdraft at the Bank, and more than the promises of the Mayor and his treasurer would hate been fulfilled. In taking into consideration the advance made by the Borough last year it must be borne in mind thai through the action of the Council in November, 1878, the support of the sick, destitute and poor, was undertaken, and in the jx-Mayor's term the Borough had to erect costly houses for the orphans and destitute old people. If the present councillors 'could get an advance from the Government, it would have this advantage '— it would be without interest, and all money accruing would not be impounded, nor would interest be charged for it, or the burgesses be pledged without their consent to pay an additional rate to meet one particular creditor. The other . creditors have not been paid in full, nor is there the slightest prospect of their balances being paid for 12 months, not t° .speak of liabilites the Council will have to incur from tradespeople and others willing to trust them. The imputation that the late Mayor hoodwinked his Council is untruthful, for it was not the habit of that gentleman to refute his confidence either to his fellow-Councillors or the ratepayers, and it is more the action of the Council for the last six months, than the previous twelve, that the.present position is due; for if the rate of reduction in liabilities made during the past term had been followed to the present the municipality would be in a different position, and would not now be unable to pay its creditors in full. In view of what we have just said and reductions made during 1879* how can the writer in our contemporary claim for the-councillors (for the Mayor's opinion seems not to have been asked) for themselves credit for their late action? They may, indeed, deserve the gratitude of the bank, but have little claim for that of their constituents. They have acted the part of "honest" men, but' rather late, and that only partially, but to say that prudent; men of business would follow a similar course were they to find themselves financially embarassed is more than the creditors of any of the gentlemen concerned would admit. These references to a few of the remarks of the would-be defender (though a recent addition to the list of champions) of the Borough we make to show the paltry reasons which can be given for the foolish, and unjust,, engagement entered into by the Council, and the statement that some Councillors considered the arrangement necessary in Order to " pay off debts incurred without the knowledge and consent of several of them," is anything but a compliment to the members who have had the honor of a seat at the Board for years, but is characteristic of our contemporary.