THE SILVER CRADLE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2538, 16 October 1888, Page 2

THE SILVER CRADLE.

TO Till'. KUITOIt. Srn, —As a burgess of Hamilton, please accept my sincere thanks for your very able and sound remarks enunciated in the subleader of Saturday last, having reference to a resolution of the Hamilton Borough Council, having for its object the expenditure of a portion of the Borough funds to purchase a toy cradle for presentation to the mayoress. Sir, I know of no previous occupant of tho mayoral chair more worthy of a substantial testimonial than the gentleman who now occupies that position. Although but a short time in office, he has displayed a capacity for business, coupled with a determination to administer the affairs of the Borough in as economical way, consistent with its welfare, as would satisfy the most rigid economist; but lam afraid His Worship is in a minority in that respect. I have now no doubt that the object these councillors (Knox and von Stunner) had in view was to crippla His Worship's retrenchment policy and to make him appear contemptible and inconsistent in the eyes of tho burgesses, but I am of opinion, with many others, that the tables are turned, and that they have earned for themselves the well merited contempt of every resident of Hamilton who desires to see the town prosper. If lam not trespassing too much already, I will briefly stato how business is transacted at the meetings of the Hamilton Council. The following is only an instance. Being present at the last meeting during the reading of the correspondence by the clerk, two old residents forwarded applications for employment in any capacity in order to enable them to pay their rates and earn a few shillings, as work was not to be had in Hamilton. One of these men stated he was a ratepayer for over twenty years, and that he was now too old to go into tho country to look for work. Councillor Knox proposed in a way to afford relief to the petitioners that their applications be received. This was seconded and carried. ~ The Mayor then asked if any other member had anything to move in the matter. Cr. Knox again retorted that as the Borough was short of funds that the prayer of petitioners should not be complied with. Cr. von Stunner remarked that the Borough funds shonlt! not be devoted to such unproductive works as the eradication of gorse. His Worship, however, took a broader and more comprehensive view of the. matter, and said the eradication of gorse within the boundary of the Borough was a necessity which should not bo overlooked, and that it would afford employment for a few of the old residents, such as those who had applied for work. Cr. Jones proposed and Cr. Frear seconded that every labourer who was a burgess take turn and turn about, say a month at a time in order to afford relief to those persons who were unable to find employment. This very liberal proposal was opposed by Crs. Knox and von Stunner, and was eventually thrown out. Cr. Jones again came to the front, and proposed that the work now being performed by the Foreman of Works and his mate bo let by public tender, so as to afford a wider distribution of the Borough funds, and therefore relieve some of the distress now prevailing. This was again seconded by Cr. F'rear, who explained the benefits that would result if such a measure was carried. This, Sir, was a portion of the business of the Council when I loft the Chamber, and I loft fully impressed with the notion that there were only two Councillors around whom most, of the other members gravitate. There are, however, one 01 two members, who I feel convinced, would if they could, carry 011 the work of the Council in such a way as would be beneficial to the burgesses and reflect credit 011 themselves, but such members appear to be in a decided minority, and therefore maintain a kind of passive resistance awaiting Micawbcr like until something turns up. in conclusion, Sir, I am astonished at the action of these two leading councillors in refusing those two poor men a fair share of work and the next moment passing that ridiculous resolution about the toy cradle to cost twenty or thirty pounds. Such conduct deserves the most decided reprehension at the hands of the burgesses, and I am of opinion a public meeting should be called to take into consideration various matters in connection with the borough.—l am &c., BL'HGKSS.