Correspondence.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3867, 21 May 1881, Page 2

Correspondence.

The>e columns are open to all correspondence of ttublic interest, but we do not hold buraelrw wwonwbie ot trie opinions of writer*. CdrrtapondeiH»wiw*i»*«!> ' sases be authenticated by the real name •no cadTM < oi the writer—not necessarily (or publication, but as » teunrantee of good faith. : -

(To the Editor of the Ereninf Star.) Sib, —I have vainly endeavoured to discover a sensible excuse for the residents who signed the petition for incorporating the Parawai district into the Borough. I can understand a political adventurer, who "did not seek a billet/ yet reluctantly (?) accept* d politic* for fame, and 200 guineas a session and the chance of etceteras, desiring eagerly to extend the Borough for the purpose of adding numbers to a constituency he no doubt aspires to represent in Parliament. I can also understand a soft goods mer-. cbaut, and a provision dealer, the Building! Society's manager, and the one or two enterprising burgesses who are interested in the disposal of the Society's funds wishing to give an apparently enhanced value to the securities they hold, fit the expense of their less fortunate neighbors, but I am really puzzled to discover how the latter can be benefited by the change so persistently sought by the former. The Borough Council only seek this incorporation because it gives them the hope of making a raid upon the Countj endowments to recuperate their bankrupt exchequer. Do the Parawai innocents imagine it is done for their exclusire benefit? If they do, let them take this. to heart: A leading member of the platonic Council—" my friend with the saturnine countenance "—remarked, the other day, "Do you think we should have gone for Parawai if we didn't get a slice of the water race ?" And see, Mr Editor, your local about the tender mercies of these intelligent representatives, seeking only a trifle of £6000 from the-County, in liquidation of their claim on this eligible endowment is confirmatory of "my friend's " statement; but observe the absence of any remarks such as "we can do the people more good; we can make them better foot- ~ paths, and charge for them in addition to fhe rates ;if any Moated aristocrat wants asphalt we can lay it down and - realise aprofit on the job; we can make the people infinitely happy under our beneficent bylaws; we can levy and collect a water and a library rate, and if they desire the scarlet fever visitation we can safely promise that too, for we hare not the remotest intention of cleansing their drains, or improving their roads until our overdraft is paid. In fact the people must be happier and more contented under our distinguished and disinterested care, and surely for all these advantages they cannot grumble if their taxation is doubled." Good people of Parawai, ponder on these words.—l am, kc, OB9EBVBB. *