NEWCASTLE ROAD BOARD MATTERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2198, 10 August 1886, Page 3

NEWCASTLE ROAD BOARD MATTERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Siß, — I see in you iBsue of the 3rd inst., ' that E. G. Shephard by letter has thought fit to put himself forward without authority as spokesman for the Newcastle Road ; Board, and pleads an excuse in his own way why tenders were not accepted for the contract work lately advertised, and further on expresses a hope that the information he has given in his letter may be useful to the ratepayers. Now I should not have taken j notice of this impudent piece of presmnp- j tion on the part of E. C. Shepherd had he endeavoured to state a reasonable portion of the truth in his letter. And as there will be a meeting of ratepayers convened in a few days to consider the matter in connection with the opposition of « section of board to the forming of this road, what I have principally to say on the subject will be reserved until then. But I must say here that notwithstanding- Mr Shophcrd .s acknowledged reputation for love of truth in the past, tho contents of hip letter in the present instance, which he hopes will be useful information to ratepayers, is composed ot aseiiesof misstitements from top to bottom. Newcastle ratepayers will not be surprised to he.n this ; and I am' fully satined I am in .1 position to prove before the meeting th ■ correctness of the statement I here make How any per.Mm in his sound senses, and a member of the board at the same time, could write a letter so devoid of truth, and so easily refuted by the records* of the board, is hard to conceive. I have been asked by many how it is that this gentleman was ever allowed to get on tho board, but he is there for the present, and I am sorry to have to say that hi* presence there doe* not add materially to the board's prestige. He says the chairman succeeded in passing a resolution in the face of Mr Corbett's opposition that tenders be not called for the work in question. This ia not correct ; Mr Shepherd was not present at the meeting, the resolution was carried unanimously, and confirmed at the following board meeting. What will Mr Shepnerd have to say .to this ? Nothing ; he must be silent. Mr E. C. Shepherd's object in making thia untruthful statement is to drag Mr Corbett to the same level with himself, and make itappear that Mr Corbett is his ally in opposition to the road. Even if Mr Shepherd's statement were true, it is very questionable whether such an alliance would be at all advantageous to Mr Corbett, who is a naw member, a.nd who, for want of road board experience, might be led away by Mr Shepherd's sophistries to oppose a work so urgently required by ratepayers. He says the board are not idle, and arc doing the best with the means at its disposal. I must say that his aotion on the board does not tend in that direction. It would be a sorry day indeed for the ratepayers of Newcastle should it ever become necessary to have to trot out PI. C. Shepherd as an apologist for the board. lam very sorry, Mr Editor, for having to trouble yon with a letter written in thih strain, but the necessity arises, as no other but plain and strong language would have any effect to stamp out misrepresentation in the direction lam engaged. — I am, yours faithfully, P. CoiIHQY, Chairman, Newcastle Koad Board. Whatawhata, Auguat 6th, 1886.