ECONOMY v. SPENDTHRIFT.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 685, 9 January 1865, Page 4

ECONOMY v. SPENDTHRIFT.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE ' PBESS. , Sib, —On Tuesday next, January 10, the ratepayers of Christchurch are requested to meet at the Town Hall to elect five persons to sic in the City Council. After the experience of the past twelve months it is very necessary that men should be elected who will work much and talk little ; men who will go into the Council with the determination to spend the money of the ratepayers in the most useful, yet economical manner. A glance at the weekly report of the business done by the Council will show a great deal of economical mouthing—and the converse of the same is a great amount of spendthrift action. To give one instance out of many: a few weeks back a proposition was made in the Council that a portion of the town should be lit with gas, the cost being about five pounds per light per annum more than is now being paid for the kerosene, at least so said Economy. If Economy had inquired he would have found that the kerosene contract was a low one. If a fair-priced contract had been taken which would have allowed a small profit to the contractor (just what the Gas Company do) Economy would have found that there would have been very little difference in the price of kerosene and gas, whilst, on the other hand, the brilliancy of light the cleanliness and saving of time, places gas immeasurably superior to kerosene. No, said Economy, " we will not accept the offer now ; let the sheets be lit in the same gloomy manner as heretofore ; let women be insulted, and men stuck-up and robbed ; let us save the ratepayers' money, and let us defer the consideration of the gas till the new Council meets." lam of opinion, Mr. Editor, that the Council wanted no gas to light their deliberations ; they seemed to be able to make sufficient for their wants, especially when the Great Gas Eetort was in the chair. Well, Sir, so far as the gas was concerned, Economy carried his point, and he sat down ; up, then, rises Spendthrift, and moves that the Town Clerk receive another £100 s> year, commencing from the new year. Economy rises again and seconds the motion, and it was carried without a dissenting voice. Luckj Town Clerk! Tou commence your duties with £15C a year, and now you are to get £350. This v economical mouthing and spendthrift action with a vengeance. £7 a week for a town clerk ! Lucky man! May your shadow never be less, but I hope the substance of your salary will. £100 extra— equal to als rate on £2000. Well, ratepayers, we must alter it. Select the men you have faith in and elect them. Don't be afraid of the men who are eligible for re-election; they are big men, certainly, but it is only bounce. All the ratepayers should meet on Tuesday—not one should be absent ; and that you will do so, and elect the best men, is the earnest wish of A Katbpaybb.