A BLUNDERING BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10038, 7 May 1910, Page 6

A BLUNDERING BOROUGH COUNCIL.

To the editor,

Sir,—l was somewhat astounded to read in the Age that the Borough Council had refused Messrs Thompson and Payne's, application for a permit to give a sacred cinematograph entertainment on the first Sunday in each month in aid of local charities. The ratepayers of. Masterton during the past twelve months have shown marked patience in putting up with a blundering Council and they are only waiting for the time to arrive when they will at the ballot endeavour to rectify the mistake they made in allowing some of the men who are now Councillors to occupy the seats they do. One can quite understand one Councillor's attitude, and need not look far for the reason; no one takes him seriously enough to pay any attention to his remarks, but mors intelligence waa expected from soma of the other Councillors who opposed this splendid ofler of Messrs Thompson and Payne. Apparently the Council are either jealous of local charities being benefited, or consider that they have sufficient funds in hand without Messrs Thomp son and Payne assisting to swell them. The latter firm pay all ex pe ites in connection with lhe entertainments, their operator will give his services free, and tocal charity takes every penny subscribed at the door. This is indeed a generous offer and the local institutions for whom the entertainments are to be given should protest strongly against the narrow minded action o± some of the Councillors, The money-taken at the entertainments would-be spsnt locally so 1 would like to know if Councillors were so conscientious when they granted permission to a certain mission to hold service in_ the Town Hill on a recent Sunday, the proceeds from which are not spent locally.—l am, etc.,

"PLAY THE GAME." Masterton, May 6th, 1910.