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Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1242, 15 June 1880, Page 3

[Our correspondence columns arc impartially open to all, but we do not in any way identify ourselves with opinions expressed therein.]

TO THE EDITOR. Sik,— l write this suppo-inpr one of the member* of the Newcastle District Board has carried out his threat of exposing what he considered my dictation as paid secretary and treasurer of the Board. Doubtless you are in receipt of his version, I send you mine. As many, unfortunately, have good causa to know the late Board left office in debt some £700, £400 of whioh, in round numbers, was due contractors, and some £300 due various creditors for material, freight, &0., &c. A clause in the Highways Ace provides for the payment of cor tractors fust, so thirt liability was paid off at the end of the year. * Naturally, after that, the Board fchould have at once seen to paying their miscellaneous creditors (as they had their contractors pro rate) as they became possessed of funds. Yet, notwithstanding this liability left unliquidated, the Board undertook to complete three contracts left unfinished ; only one member protesting against the action. I had to be away on private affairs on the occasion of the Board meeting on the 27th ultimo, but I left a note informing ' the Chairman of the meetinar that some £65 was at their disposal for the payment of accounts. On my return I was surprised to find cheques to the amount of £61 filled in for signature, and to be distributed among the three contractors who had only lately earned the money, and .the other long-suffering creditors left out iv the cold. I though „ that this was probably owiug to mv absence and not having left a detailed account of the amounts ; and thinking also that, to a certain extent, my own honor was at stake as becietary and treasurer of the Board, a considerable portion of my duties consisting of the unenviable task of writing to creditors informing them, in answer to their urgent appeal*, that they would bo paid as the Board had funds. Thinking this I took the responsibility of withholding these cheques for ten days, to be considered at the next meeting, on the 7th June knowingr the Chairman was of my way of thinking. On my trying to explain to the meeting on the 7th, I was accused of dictating to the members, anel although I had prepared a detailed statement for them io consider, the claims of these creditors were not discussed, and I waa peremptorily ordered to send the cheques, as originally intended. — I am, &0., G. W. Baeton, Secretary Newcastle Diatriot "Board.