MR McGOWAN IN REPLY.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4334, 21 November 1882, Page 2

MR McGOWAN IN REPLY.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib, —I am at a loss to find a reason for my name being mixed up in your discussion of the claims of the Shortland Fire Brigade, especially as I did not speak on the question at all, my efforts being directed towards keeping a fffember within cooee of the question and inducing himtoeddreis the Chair instead of making a speech to the members of the Shortland Erigade who were present. When you challenge me to a discussion »f the point of the control of the Borough, I am alive to the power you possess in baring the last word. Nevertheless when you.consider the old arrangement under which all accounts and authority for expenditure required the sanction of the Council before it could be entered upon, and that under the new arrangement the Brigade is to have a certain sum annually, and spend it $8 they choose, provided I suppose they./ do not destroy the property and ap» . pliances, although no such provision it made, I think you will agree with me that the Council has not control. They cannot limit the number of men, neither can they insist on any number; the only power they have is to discontinue p&y« meat of the grant, and to be freed from the interference of the Council was the condition of the acceptance of the grant by the Brigade.-^! am, &c,

„ Jaß. McQowAy.