THE CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2366, 8 September 1887, Page 3

THE CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTION.

TO THK KOITOK. Sin,—l notice in Tim Turns that tlioro are 1(» "entjpiuen nominated for the above council. - I iim very' plaid to see that the ratepayers are arousing themselves in the interests of the town to see that proper men are returner!, who administer our local affairs conscientiously, not men, Mr Kditor, who take their grievances and animosities into the council chambers, nor men of the “Follow my leader” stamp, nor men who work into each other’s hands for their own individual interests, but men, Sir, who have no axes to grind,' and who will work for the good of the town and interests of the ratepayers. Jiow, I think we are in need of a great change. The administration of the outgoing council has been about one of the worst wo have had. For instance, they raised the clerk’s salary £2O per annum. I have no doubt, from the extra work entailed upon him through the town becoming a borough,' 1 that ho deserves it, but I think he might have been kept at his old salary until the depression had moderated. Again, Sir, that 800 the Mayor received, that, was premature. It should have been left until his term of office had expired, and then if the council thought he was entitled to any remuneration for any time ho might have devoted to the borough, then was the time to vote him a reasonable sum for , bis services. And I think, Sir, as we had put up with the old, sale-yards so long we might have done su a little longer and kept the money in the town as nearly all . was sent away for material.. If this money (£110) together with the Mayor’s donation, clerk’s, extra salary, and £lO arbitration amounting to some £2OO had been expended on the streets it would have benefited the town and our working men, men who have hardly known how to keep body and soul together during the winter. I hear of complaints being made of lotting work privately. It appears two men have been engaged for tholnst three or four months filling in holes. Now, Sir, this work ought to have been let by tender and not given to any favoured individuals. Not long ago a member of the town board was hauled over the coals for giving some of his favourites work in Lake-street, and oneof the chief movers against him was. an outgoing member of this council, and yet they do the same thing (only on a larger scale) with impunity. I also hoar rorpprks passed about the gravel contractor, It appears his contract expired some months ago and yet not a word of fresh tenders being called for. Tim Mayor made a' remark about tho surfaceman holding office so long and that they should give other men a chance ; why nut then give the carters a chance'when the present contractor's time has expired ? I leave ratepayers to draw 'heir own conclusions from the above. In one installed only have they adopted the. general cry of retrenchment. They have managed to obtain the surfacemarfsservices for Is tid per day, but immediately after they placed on an extra man at (is per day. • Now, Sir, this should not be. If there is too much work for the surfaceman the extra work should be, tendered for; It would save 2o per cent, these hard times, ■ and bo more satisfactory than having a man loafing about mi wage*.. ... ... In conclusion, Mr Fditor, f lump all ratepayers wjll roll up next Thursday and place those men at the head of thp prill that Villi-do their duty to us fearlessly; We Jmvo 10 to chose from, -pud itwe-une a.

little forethought wo cun place in office a council (hat will be a credit to the town and to ourselves.—l am. &c., A R.vn:p.m:u. Cambridge, nth September, 1887.