ROSLYN BOROUGH ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 14548, 24 April 1911, Page 2

ROSLYN BOROUGH ELECTION.

10 THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent " Inquirer " seems rather concerned that an election shonld be held in Kilgour Ward. It is hardly reasonable to state that I alone am responsible for the election, seeing that two of the other candidates are not in the present Council, and that until nomination nay it was not known whether the sitting councillors were going to be nominated. However, 1 am quite prepared to accept any responsibility there may be, and may Bay that I shared the responsibility *or causing an election in Simnyside Ward two years ago, and if " Inquirer " will take the trouble to visit different parts of the borough he will, in common with most other ratepayers, admit that the cost of that election has been amply repaid by the greatly-improved state of the borough. The work done during the past two years compares very favorably with that completed during any other three, and this has largely been accomplished as a result of the change in the Council two years ago, and it must be noted that the work has been carried out without increasing the overdraft, which was lees on the 31st March last than when the present Council took office. So far as my reason for contesting Kilgour Ward election is concerned, I may say that I had notified the Committee who assisted me at last election that I did not intend to stand for re-election, and another ratepayer was brought forward to take my place. However, on this being publicly notified, a deputation of Kilgour Ward ratepayers waited on me with the request that I should offer my services for Kilgour Ward. I made an effort to induce one of the deputation to come forward himself, but he did not see his way to do so. Taking into consideration the neglected 6tate of the ward, I agreed to contest the ejection. "Inquirer" is incorrect in stating that I have no interest in Kilgour Ward. I have more interest in that ward than either of the previous representatives, two of whom live in Sunnyside Ward, and probably more interest in it than either of the candidates for the present election, another of whom, like myself, lives in Sunnyside Ward. Surely the ratepayers Ln the ward should have the right of selecting their own representatives, instead of having them chosen for them by retiring councillors, who find that the previous haphazard manner of attending to tho duties is not now satisfactory to the ratepayers. "Inquirer" is evidently a councillor, or his letter is inspired by one. He states that I have opposed work being carried out in Kilgour Ward during the pa6t two years. It would have been more straightforward if "Inquirer" had named the works which had been objected to by me, and also given the information as to which councillor had brought them forward. I challenge him to name such works. Far from opposing works in the ward, I, along with other Sunnyside councillors, have suggested works which have since been carried out in Kilgour Ward. I am pleased that "Inquirer" agrees that I held a safe seat in Sunnyside Ward, but I consider that as I practically live in Kilgour Ward, and am daily traversing that portion of the borough, it is an easy matter for me to keep in touch, with its requirements; and as I feel sure the ratepayers will support me in, this election, if " Inquirer" will give me the names of the works which he states were opposed by me, I will see that they are included in this year's allocations. I consider that some works have been done in the ward at the expense of more urgent ones. The purchase of the building site over two years ago means a loss to the borough in two years of £l3O, and all efforts made by new members to dispose of the section or have the same put to a profitable use have been repeatedly blocked. I could understand the Council purchasing land—but not the site in question—if they had some surplus cash, and some well-defined plans as to the use to which it was to be put; but to borrow the whole of the money from their solicitors at 5 per cent, (which, after compound interest is added, and an allowance made for rates lost to the borough, runs it into a largo sum) surely shows up clearly the lack of business foresight on the part of the old Council who made the purchase. There are other mistakes still to be rectified, and I consider that the attention I have paid to the duties whilst representing Sunnyside is sufficient guarantee that the requirements of Kilgour Ward will be carefully attended to by me should the ratepayers do me the honor of returning me as one of their representatives. On the other hand, should I not be returned, I will be quite content to retire from Council work, in accordance with my original intention. —I am, etc., Alexr. Wilson. April 24.