MR. HUTCHISON'S CANDIDATURE TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Evening Post, Volume XX, Issue 266, 13 November 1880, Page 2

MR. HUTCHISON'S CANDIDATURE TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Sir — Mr. Hutchison subtilely invited the ratepayers of Thorndon to meet him at the School-room, Sydney-street, for the discussion cf municipal affairs. Does this mean that having learnt the views of the people ho will, for the purpose of securing his election, act accordingly up to the 24th November and no further ? As ratepayers, sir, we are entitled to have Mr. Hutchisou first explain his viewa on the past, present, and future prospects of this really misgoverned city, and what he proposes to do to carry on the really necessary works ot the city. Having first heard his views, wo are at liberty to act as our judgment may dictate, but I for ono object to being entrapped by one who so little knows how to keep his word, he having faithfully promised not to come forward again. We want him to explain whether the overdraft, which was brought by his predecessor within legal limits, has been wiped off ; also, why he ha 3 often expressed himself as powerless in tho City Council, and why he sat thero powerless without consulting the ratepayers ? We want his opinion on the va^ue of the works undertaken by the Corporation at such enormous cost ; tho effect of the present heavy rates on the growth of the city ; the present valuation ; the cost of water, and why so large a profit ia made out of it ? We should like to know how far the Corporation is to blame for the large number of people who have left the place. We should like to know why he introduced the Municipal Bill into Parliament, uncalled for by tho public and unknown to the City Council ; in fact, the city being wholly ignored by him ? The bill was one affecting tho liberties of the people, but, thanks to the energy and determination of the Ratepayers' Keform Association, was rendered harmless. Further, some explanation as to his apathy re the Irish Famine Relief Fund is really nece3&a r y, as, but for the noble conduct of the Evening Post, an undeserved slur would have been cast on the people of Wellington. S;r,as an Hibernian, I should much like to hear him say that no disrespect was intended to the countryman of feir Hercules Robinson by tho want of courtesy shown towards his Excellency on his departnr3 from Wellington. Ratepayers, arouse — wake up. The apathy displayed by us is not creditable to us as citizens. On every hand ara empty tenements, in part caused by excessive local taxation, through the wasteful administration of onr funda. It is high time the Government curtailed the power of onr anti-colonisation local governments. If we cannot do all we would like to do, let us at lea&t prevent the highest honor it Is in our power to bestow on our most respected citizens from degenerating into a mere billet. I am,£c., Hibernian.