Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 302, 7 May 1941, Page 4

Dear Sir,

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the n£ht to abridge* amend or withhold any letter or letters. OMATAROA REPRESENTATION Sir, —As there appears to be considterablie misunderstanding in the above matter, we the undersigned wish to point out to ratepayers that it was in response' to the County Council's request to Mr McCullocix to do so; that he generously consented to accept nomination for the coming election, knowing also that it is the wish of-.many electors of the riding to retain Mr McGulloch as their representative; on. the' Council for as ratepayers they not only realise the circum&tffifces of hiis absence but appreciate? the National duty he is rendering to this country while an Active Service. They also know that the interests of the riding will be fully looked after during Mr McCuliloch's absence, as not only eveiry member of th,et Council but the whole staff will take' a pride in so doing, feeling as we feel that it is up to us as ratepayers to support a man who has done hisi duty by us in the past'—is still doing so at present, and will continue! to da so in the days t'o come. We consider that ratepayers should retain the right to express their appreciation of Mr McCulloch's services and so herein state that lie will definitely be 1 a candidate! at the. forthcoming County Election. Yours etc., L. srsAM. . WALTER THOMPSON. Sir,—As lam ignorant regarding, the Council by-laws I wish to beg a little space to air my views and gather information through the columns of the Beacon. Sir, I noticed in the columns of the. Beacon 28th April a paragraph pointing out that Mr J. G. Cliff-Mc-Culloeh was prepared to accept nomination as a member on the County Council in the coming County Election. Now Sir as Mr Clilf-McCulloch is at present an absentee, with apparently no. definite date of return to our district I consider it entirely out of place for him to he nominal ed, as a member for the coming County election, and considering that he cannot he here to voice: his opinion re council matters and apart from this. I consider it more out of place for another., county councillor to. carry on thei business of another riding for a lengthy per-* iod and; vote, for an absentee member as this is one man's opinion and not two, whose opinion may differ. What I should like to know Sir, | is whether this is actually legal because I think that a member standing for the council should! be resitting in thei district, let alone the riding. 1 would like to stress the point Mr Editor that I have absolutely [ nothing against Mr McGulloch' and have in the past looked upon him as a very competent member in the i ratepayers' interests.. Yours etc., (Alias) ANOTHER RIDING RATE- | PAYER. (In answer to our correspondent's question of legality wei have to state that a person is eligible to represent a ridiing, or district for just as long as he is returned by the rate-* payers whether he is resident in that district or not. The! question of his attendance at meetings is determined by the,, continued / leavei of absence -gLrarkedi him by the council body or' His position as a representative! is gained! in the first instance by his nomination going forward signed by two persons who are ratepayers in the riding or district concerned.—Ed.)