Municipal Affairs.

Feilding Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 1457, 9 June 1902, Page 2

Municipal Affairs.

TO THE EDITOR. Siu, — Solomon reputed the wisest of men, though a great King, evidently had democratic inclinations. He has left it a 9 his royal conviction " that in the multitude of councillors there is safety." This reminds me that I have not heard of the Citizens' Committee for consulting with the Council re water scheme being called together lately. I, along with many of the burgesses, don't think this is as it should be. Those men, all equally intelligent and business-like with the Councillors, and having a large interest in the town, were appointed, according to law, to give attention to the most important work that has ever come before the ratepayers. It is true that we have on the whole a reliable Council ; but that fact does not satisfactorily excuse the Mayor or the Council for ignoring the right of the other gentlemen to have a say in the important business for which they were appointed. If some of the committee have entered the Council, courtesy should help them to remember the others, if others are cut off by the reduction of the borough boundaries, then their places can be filled, if it is thought necessary. It is very necessary if an expensive and effective water and drainage scheme is to be carried, that the burgesses be taken into the Council's fullest confidence. Nothing will so completely do this like usin* the Citizens' Committee; especially will this remark refer to those who have fought so hard, and so successfully, in preventing the impure water of the Kiwitea being now on its way to Feilding. As one who is favourable to the Oroua scheme, I am pleased to see a majority of the Council oppose the adoption of the original sewerage plans; for two reasons, (1) that it is quite unnecessary, and (2) that it would most effectually prevent the scheme being voted for by the majority. It must be very much "modified" indeed before it has any chance of popular support. However, the bare majority in favour of Mesteyev's expensive and extravagant scheme being modified should urge all the more forcibly the necessity of calling the Auxiliary Committee together, or the confidence of the ratepayers will be sure to be on tho down grade. lam pleased to see my suggestion re filling up the gravelpits on Kimbolton road has bad the desired effect. I am, etc., J. C. Thompson. Feilding, June 9th.