THE "JUDAS" EPISODE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2306, 21 April 1887, Page 2

THE "JUDAS" EPISODE.

TO THK EDJTOIt. Sir, —The paragraph appearing in your issue of the 19th inst., re storm at last meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, cannot but lower that body still further in the estimation of the general public. Sir, I wonder at your valuable paper publishing such damaging news. I might let the matter pass if it was not a personal one. T, with 77 others, are described as "Judas Iscariots," meriting an application of tar and feathers. There is no argument given to show why we deserve such an epithet and troatment. It is a true saying that "every dog has hi 3 day." I will now endeavour to prove that our accusers are more truly representatives of the gentlemen they name us after. In the first place what was Judas Iscariot noted for? For being in office, for controlling money matters, and being a thief and traitor. Now if I cannot make good my contention that our accusers are guilty of each and all of these traits of character, then I will confess that I cannot tell how many beans make five. Firstly, Judas Iscariot was in office ; so are the present members of the Hamilton Borough Council; consequently the Hamilton Borough Qounoil represent Judas Iscariot. In explanation, of course there were good men associated with Judas, and I do not deny there being good men in the council.

Secondly, Judas controlled the money matters; so do the Hamilton Borough Council; consequently the Hamilton Borough Council represent Judas Iscariot. In explanation, the 78 stigmatised residents of Hamilton were only wanting to have a say in the spending of £1000, which the ratepayers will be responsible for. If Judas' associates had done likewise he might not have been able to carry on his little game. Thirdly, Judas was a thief. My first and second accusation leave no stigma. Some party must be in office ; some party is required to manage the finances; it is the missapropriating of funds that is objectionable. There is no denying the fact that the council have no right to give £1000 for such a purpose as a public abbatoir. It is altogether a speculative business, and I question if there is a single councillor but knows that they would have been going outside their duty in thus spending.money entrusted to them. If there is one such, he is unqualified for the office of councillor.

It has been repeatedly put to me that the abbatoirs would greatly benefit business people, and that I ought to be the last to object. I have no right whatever to make money at other people's expense. Granting that the abbatoirs would have been a success for a time, what guarantee have we that the business would not be overdone? I venture to say, in fact it is admitted on all sides, that our success in Hamilton would have them established in the various centres in the Waikato, and our £1000 abbatoirs would be worth only a few shillings for fuel. Then the general ratepayers would be responsible for the £1000", even though we business people made a pile for_ the time. Mopey obtained in such a way is nothing short of thieving. Consequently those public agitators who would spend money in such a way are true representatives of the thief Judas.

Fifthly, Judas was a traitor. It is a serious thing to be in office, for such brings responsibility. Councillors are supposed to be elected as good men and true. At their election they are the ohosen of the people to do their work ; have we not had councillors to so turn round and cast it up to us that they will not be dictated to by us, they will not be ciphers: in other words, they will, Judas Iscariot like, betray our interests for their personal temporary gain. In conclusion, I would warn our councillors to repent before it is too late. Such conduct as was carried on at the last meeting may not bring the tar and feathering to the would-be user of such, but he would run the risk of—l need not particularise the nature of the punishment.—l am, yours truly, J. R. E. HATRICK. Hamilton, 20th April, 1887,

IE AWAMUTU NEWS. Te Awaaicttd wjll present a scene of life and bustle on the 24th May, and some days previously, that being the time fixed for the half yearly drill. Other cavalry troops from YVaiuku and Auckland are coming up and the drill will wind up with a shooting match on the 23rd, arid races and a ball on the 24th. Writing of shooting, reminds me of the fact that one of our former residents has been excelling in that respect in Auckland. Mr Ben Lewis, who is living there now, joined the Queen's Osvn, and a short time ago pulled off the company's first prize at a match. Ben was at one time a member of the cavalry corps, and gave promise of being an excellent shot, a promise he has since amply fulfilled. If lie progresses as well in the future, I shall expect to hear of him making his mark as a marksman, (all rights to this unintentional pun reserved) in the colonial competition. Nothing would please his Te Awamutu friends more than the knowledge that he was the winner of the belt.—(Own Correspondent, April 20th.)