THE EX-CHAIRMAN.

Lake County Press, Volume VIII, Issue 448, 11 December 1879, Page 3

THE EX-CHAIRMAN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARROW OBSERVER. Siu, —My n has been d-awn to a letter in last week's ' Wakan'p Mail'" from Mr Er.gar, late County Chairman, which I am "Qu'xotie" enough—l believe that is the word _ not to allow to pa*s without comment. From tlie commen()at'< nsof Mr Kdgar'a admirers, and ponveisat onsl huveheard in which he en»aaed, I imagined ho was- " very h»i property," but it is the old fable revived of the "Ass in the lion's skin." I really did not think he was so thin skinned. " 13. inn a County, member for three years, and lr.>m his long and peculiar experiences on the Sho'over, 1 should have expected that his hi<!e would have been pretty well tanned by this time, and that it would have taken more than a f w ••oohoos and tiroans to penetrate it ; however it is only <>ne more illusion disp- lied, and shows hj >w easily one may be deceived in the characters of public men. Mr Kdgar accused Mr Smith and h's other opponents of deliberate falsehood. I don't know whether Mr Smith will deign to 'ake any notice of the assertion : but I do know this—l have known Mr Smith pretty intimately for some years, and am pos'tive he is the last person to be guilty of untruth, but would rather sacrifice his personal interest than degrade himseltin this way. Mr Kdgar writes also that he " saw the County fun.ls being squandered at Maeetowi.'' he ''caused a cessation of this, and in doi -, g so very mat* riallv listened Mr Smith's pickings." Ifihere was the~ slightest modicum of truth about the «• squandering" it would be a seri us charge; hut I. and others, happen to know that the County funds huvfi never been as judiciously and economically expended as a« Maui.town ; and Mr Kdgar if he retains his .seat will, yet have to sanction more '-squandering" if the County is to reap the benefits which may reasonably Ijo expect, d fr-m the further development of the quartz-mining industry in that: quarter. I know nothing' about Mr Smith's. " pickings," but 1. pre-ume with such- an astute overl oker as Mr Edgar would wish us to believe he is, Coun'y received value for their money duriug the '"picking" season. As a matter of-fact, I find, on enquiry; that the ure.tor. all tools, &c., for this end of" the County, since the system came in force has not been.onehalf of Mr Edgar's salary for one year. Your readers will, therefore, easily comprehend where economv has been practised; The facts in relation to the Morven Eerry and Mr M'Cormick's contracture so notorious that I am sure, I would only weary your readers by recapitulating them; and Mr Edgar is

very much- ma'igned iodeedif the par ticulars are not in accordance with popular belief. Lei Mr Edgar move f>r ?n enquiry, and elear up all doubton t'te matter. I, for one,, am'not pre-pared-to swallow Lis unsupported'statement in the • Mail;’ It is fortunate for Mr Daniels that his predecessor’s derogatory opinions of him as Chairman of Lake Ooumy are oof shared in by the ratepaveis. His face.ious remarks about abject terror ” and “ seeming de-irous of making bis exit via. the chimney” fall flat when we consider the paltry spirit which prompts .hem, and it is quTe probable that 'lr Daniels will fill his new-found dignified po-iiion, with as much ability and more—well, c msis'ency—than the late occupant of the chair; “phrenological” developments notwithstanding The iru hj is Mr Edgar is very much cut at los ng his nice little sinecure, and cannot hide his chagrin and disappointment ; thus-showing the worst ot 'aste, If he wi-hes to turn the County Council into a “ b> ar-garden,” he is :aking the right step-, an 1 if he should find by his Eoltsh and injudicious in diligence i-i petty spleen that he has rendered his position as Councillor untetia'l-, he must remetnb r that it habeen his own bruin.”—l am, &c. Matukituki. Arrow, Dec. 10th. 1879;