BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 9

BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l observe by a report published in your issue of Tuesday last, that Councillor Wallace has followed Councillor Hadhekl's lead in resigning his position on the Borough Council. This, so far, is satisfactory, as it would hardly be possible for these gentlemen to retain their seats with any measure of self-respect after the despotic action of the Mayor in ignoring a committee of urgency specifically set up to deal with water supply questions, and although in daily touch with these members of the committee, entering on bis own responsibility into the purchase of a new i-eservoir site at- a cost of £850. Rather unfortunately the Council appears to havu endorsed the Mayor? action, and one can only suppose they did so hurriedly and without due consideration of the surrounding facts, and that later on tbey must regret the course taken. Whether the purchase of a new site was absolutely indispensable, whether or not the price agreed upon is a satisfactory one. or whether the site already in possession of the borough might not be utilised at a less cost—these are questions for grave consideration. But apart from this, the Mayors action in flouting the committee appears to be most unwise and inexcusable. How-ever. the matter is now relegated to the ratepayers, and should a contest for the vacant seats ensue, there is little doubt that upon polliusr day Messrs. Hadficld and Wallace will be found hcadinc; the poll.—-I am. etc, BIRKENHEAD RATEPAYER.