The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1888. The Mare's Nest.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2807, 26 January 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1888. The Mare's Nest.

We are told by our local contemborary with reference to the last exhibition of foolishness at the Council table " The Mayor has grasped the purse strings firmly in the present instance, and though Councillors may kick over the traces, so long as ho keeps the box seat and has the conficence of bispassengers—the ratepayers —it must be acknowledged that he possesses the best of the position," There is a considerable amount of what the Americans call " bimkum " ' about this statement, which disappears when tested by the light of facts. The Mayor lias not.'as far as wo are,aware grasped the purse strings either on this or on any other occasion, On financial questions his attitude has usually been one of complete indifference. In his public speeches he has always been wont to relegate figures to the background. In the present instance what are the simple facts of the case. A short time back two representatives of the Fire Brigade complained to the Municipal committee that their engine could not draw water from a point near Mr Hoar's residence, and asked for a hose box to be sank in the creek in this locality. The committee recommended that, with the conseut of the Wesleyan Trustees, certain work should be done at the point indicated to satisfy the requirements of the Brigade. The Council, at a meeting over which Mr Renall presided, endorsed the report and duly authorised the work to be done. The work is absolutely authorised, subject to the consent of the Wesleyan Trustees now obtained, and tho only result of Mr Eouall's foolish attempt to put his foot down is to prevent a courteous acknowledgment being sent to the Wosleyau Trustees. The resolution which Mr Renall blocked was"' one of not the slightest practical importance. His action, however, in improperly refusing to discharge his legal functions is a more serious matter, as it may lead to a considerable amount of public inconvenience, Whother Mr Eenall has or has not the confidence and support of the ratepayers, .ho cannot with impunity violate the law which he is sworn to administer.