CHRISTCHURCH MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1056, 24 December 1862, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE JfrTTELTON TIMES. Sib, —In a recent number of your paper, some one under the signature of " A voice from Salisbury street," blames, not the Municipal Council of Christchurch as a public body, but very unjustly singles out one of its members for individual reflection. On seeing this, I thought it best to enquire how far the blame imputed was true or otherwise; and every assertion made by this "Voice "which professes to emanate from Salisbury street, I find to be completetely at variance with the truth. Your friend is in the first place completely wrong in his figures with reference to relative expenditure, and Still further wrong when he declares the Avon river to be ah equal division between north and south Christchurch; for, if he refers to the map, he will find Worcester street the central division between north and south; and if he looks at the town he will find at least twice the number of houses on the southern half, with a vast difference in the relative values of properties, and any Saturday he may easily convince himself that the front of the White Hart Hotel is the commercial centre of the town. Your friend is, if possible, still further wrong when he states that the " patriotic owner of the nursery" ground ever either moved or seconded any resolution affirming the desirability of making any street in front of his own property, for this is/a point which I am well assured he has carefully guarded against; whilst lam equally well assured that not a street has been formed north of the Avon, of which the member in question hfts not been either the mover or seconder. Equally at variance with the truth is your friend's assertion, when he states that the member referred to either has or ever had any motion on the notice paper, proposing the formation of Lichfield street. The " Voice," then, has apparently been raised in falsehood, and shouts alone when it would bring charges of corruption against either the Christchurch Municipal Council or any of its individual members. I speak as an elector not unlikely to be well in-

formed, when I say that no body of men ever devoted themselves to a public purpose with a foore honest patriotism—with greater dilligence—or brought to bear on the subjects brought before them nine more practical minds. And when a portion, or perhaps the whole of the present Council may retire from office within five weeks from this date under a new ordinance, your friend may find a difficulty in inducing similar men to sacrifice their time and dilligently devote their energies to the public good, if their services are to be acknowledged by charges of public corruption. I am, Sir, yours &c., , A HOUSEHOLDER. Christchurch, 23rd Dec., 1863.