THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14507, 26 April 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Sin,—As nil interested in municipal matters know, 1 am as a rule strongly opposed to r 1:0 disclosure of what transpires at. committee meetings; but. I think it only fair to llv M'Donald to refer to. the letter in this morning's paper signed liy An Elector." The statement that- the present Finance Committee, had it not been on the ove of the election, would have resigned owing to certain actions of the Mayor, is not. correct. No proposal for resignation was ever before the committee, and ail that it hud to fay legarding the matter referred to was emixidicd in its mport ro th-; council 1 ask you to be good enough it publish this in the interests ol that. " fair play" which, as your correspondent <ays, " is bourne jilsvy."—l am, etc., April 24. I'ktkh JJaiu!. Silt,—One of 1 ho most remarkable arguments I liavo yet. heard advanced in any electioneering campaign was that put forward by Mr J. M'Donald at Caversham last night. While repudiating his culpability m the matter of the piirehufie of the jarrali sleepors, he took credit to himself for having stopped the cheque, which, lie added, "could be inspected at tin: Town llall." As the timber has been Iwught, of what cjinhly use is il his stopping the cheque, since the 'sleepers will ltavo to be j.aid for sooner or later'; If Mr M'Donald had admitted his error when this matter'was first brought forward, il would by now have been forgotten by most of the electors, since all are likely to make mistakes occasionally. It would have been a better course than trying to throw dust in our eyes.—l am. etc., OmK'din, April 24. Jlmmm-m:. Sin,—The ratepayers should be very careful as to whom they vote for. The. nien required are those, who will not only conscientiously look after their own interest ae ratepayers, but ul-o strive for the good ol tho rateiwyors as a body. In my opinion, many are nominated who are not eligible, With regard to the jarrali sleepers business, I contend that, when the New .Zealand Go' vernmoilt refused to purchase tho sleeper* for tho lailwiiyr-, it. was for the Mayor and councillors immediately to refuse "l<> purchase them. I saw the sleepers myself in George street, and could see they were ol no practical value, and not suitable fot placing under the tramway track. What fl.ro t.lio councillors for but' to look strictly after the interest, of the ratepayers in every respect. AVonld any manufacturer purchase the goods he required unices they were sound and in porfect order and calculated tc turn out lirst-class goods? It is a known faei

throughout, the world that the dearest goods are the cheapest,—j am , e t oi , I .. H. W Mitchk!.I Musselburgh, April 24.