CITY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11368, 8 September 1897, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOK.

Sib, —That the late omissions of a senior Councillor warrant the infusion of fresh blood none can deny. First, ho prides’ himself with being eleven, and a half years a guardian of the public municipal expenditure. He feels aggrieved because this Council, of which he is a part and parcel,, has been blamed for a long list of sins of omission and commission. To condone these he takes the part of a, ,“special pleader and apologist.” Secondly, ha wishes to and does expose a wildcat penny-wise-and-pound-foolish policy. That there has been a largo increase of valuable buildings, and a decrease in their rating value of .£62,000, courts comment. The present general rating power gives .£7BO per month; against that thore are seven identical items in streets account, totalling .£553; salaries and fees account, .£137; interest account, £2160 ; grand total .£855.

Thirdly, the expenditure of -£37,410, or over .£3OO a month, should have been challenged by this zealous patriarch long ago. The appeal “ Try me again; I will try to he a better boy,” only proves the necessity for municipal franchise. I trust' electors will avail themselves of this opportunity to choose as their representatives, men of a more progressive and enlightened stamp, as the election of such men would strengthen the Government’s right to. pass the Bill so necessary.—l am, &c„ *EBMOCAD.