THE CITY COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1389, 15 March 1912, Page 2

THE CITY COUNCIL.

Sir,—l am glad to see that Councillor j. Frost lias intimntcil his intention to mdeuvour to got the M.C. Act a mended, so is to prevent plumping at the election for ■jouncillors, where more than one candi:lnte is seeking election. I am surprised no slep lias been taken in the tame direction before. Of course it may Ire an extreme case, hut it is the umxpocted that sometimes happens. There may lie, say, sixteen candidates for (en seats; result ot plumping, six only are elected. I am ol opinion, also, that no one who is nut a direct representative of Labour— Hint is iin actual worker-should be eligible as a randidute. Again, I think the method ot the selection of an atiing-mayor should be altered. The acting-mayor should not be the oldest councillor, but should be elected bv (he councillors from themselves. J ho Mayor's term of ollicn should also lie coterminus with that of the councillors. As the election for the Mayoralty will soon take place, it is up to the councillors to resign in a body and go to the ratepayers again. It i- common talk that the council as ot present constituted does not hold the confidence of the citizens. The unfortunate "confidential" matter, the desperate muddle re tramwnv strike, the muddle re its management (?) of the tramways, and the neglect of (lie Town Belt. 1 do not know who is answerable, but it seems to me to be a rule of the council to give no proper information, and in a costly manner. There has been recentlv started a "freight car" in connection with the train service. Xo information has been afforded to the nublic by means of an advertisement. A card has been issued, which can be obtained somewhere if you know where. This card mentions the rrceiving stations, but does not state what times the car leaves. The council undertakes too much, What about market-? The milk supply! The obstruction of the streets by a lot ol stupid people, who often wait for an bom and more, wet or drv. in order to get r seat in a theatre? Why does not tl« council insist, as it can, by a properly framed by-law, I hat the doors should in open at (i o'clock, or earlier, if it. va? necessary? Tlow long has the counci taken to settle the motor-car and bike by laws? Pome of the councillors need nofear another election, but those who d( are the ones who will stick to the full em of their term, for they know there wouk not bo the ghost of a chance of their 1m ing re-elected. Let some councillor mov< at the next meeting that (he whole of (In council resign, and seel; re-election. Ha anv one of them the pluck? Is there not i Ratepayers' Association? Why docs no this body call a public meeting to conside: the question of" the resignation of Hi' councillors?—l am. etc., TRUST THE PEOPLE.