THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 99, 28 April 1908, Page 8

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —It seems a pity that citizens have not more interest in municipal affairs here. -In. many other centres Quite good fun and excitement is being got out of to-morrow's election, yet here, where we have a lot of gross mismanagement, we all sit tight and don't worry to find out whether the powers that be attend to their duty or not. I would like to criticise just a few of present Borough and other affairs which, in my opinion,^ want some drastic alterations made. To take Mr McCallum's term of office and present manifesto first. We have him talking economy, efficiency and proper services for cash paid, etc. Now, the Mayoral chair is not the only position he occupies. We have him on the River Board, Harbour Board, etc., and other semipublic situations such as the A. and P. Association, and how much efficiency, does he get in some of these? In Borcugh matters we have a small fortune wasted every year. Do the ratepayers know that at present £400 is being absolutely thrown away in foundations at Nelson Street Bridge? Let them go and ask the engineer-in-charge about it. Further, do they know who-, is Borough overseer on that job? How lias Mr McCallum economised over our reserves? How much of private individuals' amounts have been got in yet to reduce, that special loan rate? Have certain Councillors paid their proportions yet? These are only details I know, but a live Mayor keeps his subordinates up to these items. Why are these reserves still lying idle? Last year Mr McCallum was going to have these reproductive. Leaving gasworks and finance matters out, which other writers have touched on ? there is- another matter worth mentioning. Why is it that so many matters are continually postponed or shelved ? Because the Mayor or some Councillor has not been to Committee meetings., and therefore the business is never got ready. Then in River Board matters, how does he, as a leading member, have that business carried on? Have we got an efficient working staff here? They may hay© been once, but there are no big schemes on now, yet our rates do not come down much, the wages bill is iust as high, and nothing, is done. Is this economy? What do we get for it? Ratepayers know very well, but they only -giowl, away privately. The other candidate, Mr Penny, we Lave had before, and in the opinion of many he is a long way from desirable too. He cannot assert himself, and allows axe-grinders and others to control him. At the same time he is painstaking, as far as his abilities lie, and he has not the multitude of other businesses to occupy his time that Mr' McCallum has. Further," he is not one of the clique that seem at present to be trying to run this district in all public matters. It is no use denying that there is a clique. We have had it for some years now, and much good they have done us. Their principal amusement or excuse for everything seems to be to cast reflections on everything all their predecessors have done, forgetting the fact that they are not accomplishing much themselves. What we do want in this town for a period is a fearless man, without too many business connections or relations who would know (what is wanted, and has time to. see he gets it, bujt not haying this in either of the two candidates to-mor-row, let the ratepayers choose the one with least ties, and we will trust that his previous lesson taught him by the ratepayers will not be lost, on him ii elected for another term.—l am, etc.. RATEPAYER.