BOROUGH COUNCIL INTRIGUES.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1166, 16 December 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL INTRIGUES.

TO THE EDITOB. 818, —Under the above heading I observe a letter signed by Councillors Beale, Jones, Peat, and Vialou, which I at first did not intend to reply to; but, after consideration, I /think the public ought to have both sides. First then, as to our annoyance (the annoyance of those Councillors) that Councillors Knox and Harris were at the door and would not make a meeting. I went to my duty as a Councillor, and when in the Council found four members there. I took my seat to do business, when one Councillor left, and so there were only four Councillors rem#j?iitig including myself I then retired, there not being sufficient Councillors present to form a quotum, but did not stay at the door as they atate. > ow, as to the cause and spirit of the letter, and the reasons of some,of those signing the same. It arose, as far as the first two are concerned, in our opposing them in the late local elections ; and the last ounoillor did so out of pure friendship because he was not allowed by the committee appointed by tihe corporation to tako over the bridge from the contractors on tho 26th November (of which we formed part), to get so easily off with his ridiculous presumption as he did previously when running off with Sir George Grey, as the following extract from the minutes of the-Hamilton Borough Council will show:— "Eeporfc of 'the Committee appointed to arrange for openiniT th 6 biidsre have to report as follows:—That thoy made arrangements for beer, ginger beer, and eatables for the burgesses and the children Having only a limited sum at our disposal we endeavored to procure those articles in sufficient quantity and at the cheapest rates. We have not yet received the accounts for them, and the other expenses connected with the erection of the triumphal arch, but have great reason to believe that the total amount will not exceed what the Council voted for that purpose. We regret that a matter occurred during the ceremony by which Councillor Vialou rendered himself ridiculous, &,nd had it not been for the good temper displayed by the Mayor elect a disgraceful scene would have ensued.-(-igned) John Knox, Robert Heat, Robert arris, J. K. McDonald.—Hamilton, Bth December, 1879." Hence the last Councillor's kind signature. I think the burgesses know who they have elected to be their representatives now, and I do say that I shall never misrepresent them, but will always do my duty, m or out of the Council, fearlessly, even though opposed by a clique. I may also state that I did not see Councillor Beale in the ' 'ouncil Chambers last night, nor did he see me, though the first to sism he did so. I do not intend to enter into any further correspondence on this matter, but will leave it to the burgesses to watch the conduct of those representing them. • I am, &c, _ EOJBT. HAEEIB. Grey-street, Hamilton, . « 11th December, 1879. —— «■

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— As there seemed by the letter of founcaUors Beale, Jan*, Peat, and Vialou, in your kst issue, a probability of the business of our little town being altogether suspended, I went to the adjourned meetmg of the Council on Thursday evening trusting I mig-ht be agreeably surprised by finding a f n n attendance of Councillors. My anticipations, however, were fully realised, for there were only the same four gentlemen present at their posts, and no others; and another adjournment to the loth consequently again took place. On enquiry I ascertamed'tbat the probable cause of non-attendance of ■ Councillors on this occasion was that a Masonic meeting occurred the same evening.

I Now, Mr Editor, those Councillors belonging to the mystic craft deeming fit to attend Lodge in-tead of their municipal duties, I presume may plead a sort of private justification, but there was one founoillor (Fox), who, although once belonging to the Order, had not the same exqu<e, and he ought to have attended and completed the necessary quorum. I for one will enter my protest against the pn >lic business being thus neglected, and would iii-QMS other burgesses to take the matter up. Great inconveniences to contractors ;md ofchera from this noglect are being loudly complained of, and I~cpnsider the least those derelict should do if they will not attend to their duties is to make room for those who will by immediately tendering their resignations —I am, &c, Ratepayer.