ST. KILDA AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 20256, 17 August 1929, Page 20

ST. KILDA AFFAIRS.

TO THK editor. Sir,—X would like to draw the attention of tho ratepayers of St. Kilda borough to the very unsatisfactory manner in which our Labour mayor and councillors manage our affairs. At the election time we heard our mayor, proclaim from the platform that, after the year s activities, the financial position of the borough showed a surplus of £4,3<)i; yet within four weeks of his assumption of office the surplus is all gone, and the council,finds itself £6OO in debt, winch necessitated the Finance Committee recommending that the rates be increased by |d in the £. The council had no option but to pass it on to the ratepayers. The Labour mayor, playing to Labour, dissented. „ . , At the commencement of the financial yeai- the estimated amount to carry on the works of the borough was set down at £2,460 odd. Three months have elapsed, and what do we find? That no less a sum than £1,300 odd has been spilt, leaving a. little over £I.OOO to carry on the work for the remaining portion of the financial year. How can this farce continue? Last year we read where £B3O had been overspent on certain streets, and again this three months another £2OO has to he added to tho over-expenditure, making a total of £1,030: yet councillors sit and let things drift on without raising their voices. And further, it clearly proves that Labour is not fitted to manage when wc have a mayor condoning these gross inefficiencies. What is to he the remedy? Two poor casual -workers (who perhaps are only getting their heads above water) are to be again numbered among the unemployed, whilst the root cause of the trouble goes along the way, rejoicing in the knowledge that the pruning knife is not yet to be employed there. There is another matter that calls for some explanation. The council. I understand, employs three horses in its works, and they look to be well kept; but I cannot understand why it takes fifty bags of ebaff a month to feed these animals. Surely this needs an urgent overhaul. My share in all this bungle and gross mismanagement is an increase in rates of 7e, and by all appearances they will soar again next year if the ratepayers do not bestir themselves. I think it is high time a ratepayers’ association should be formed to look after our interests and give the mayor and councillors to understand that they have a distinct duty to perform to those who provide the money—money that should bo well spent and not mis-spent.—l am, etc., Fiat Lvx. August 17.