CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 36, 21 February 1877, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Our correspondence column being oprn, no responsibility can be accepted m respect to opinions expressed by correspondents.]

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, — For a considerable time past the patience of a large number of your readers has been sorely taxed by being compelled to read a number of abusive letters aimed chiefly at the gentleman who holds the honor of being chairman of our County Council. If my memory serves me right the correspondence began by a letter from " Vigilance," who, no doubt, criticised the actions of the first Council meeting very fairly, and succeeded m exposing a little game that had undoubtedly been played by a few members ; also, showing the position of the two parties constituting our County Council, likewise pointing out the rather unpleasant work our chairman was destined to have through the successful dodge m holding the Council meetings m Foxton instead of Palmerston. Since then we have had a number of letters anything but complimentary, and m some instances, far from creditable either to the district or the writers. I, for one, was m hopes that the whole affair had drawn itself to a close, but you may judge of my surprise when m your last issue there appeared a poetical effusion from goodness only knows who or where ; but to say the least it is one of the most 'wonderful productions of modern times. I would strongly advise the author of it to persevere and improve the great talent he possesses, and by no means allow it to run to neglect or lay idle. He may yet become something extraordinary, either m this obscure land or elsewhere. It is my humble opinion that rather too much has been written and said about the various members of our Council. So far as I can see they are all acting with a view to benefit the district as a whole, and each man is working for his particular locality and constituency. If so, who can blame them P I cannot see why so imich offence should have been caused from the fact of Mr Thynne having been elected chairman instead of Mr Halcombe. As far as ability goes I think I can fairly challenge any member of the Council to say that Mr Thynne is not possessed of the abilities necessary for a gentleman holding -the position of chief of the Council. Granting such to be the case, is it not only fair and manly to give him an opportunity of proving to the county that his object is to distribute justice and equity to the whole of the district over which he presides. Should it be found after a fair trial that he has failed to do so, then will be the time to bring him to task and condemn his acts, but not till then. A good deal has been written about the action, of the chairman at the late meeting m accepting the duties of secretary, but it appears to me that the main fact is lost sight of— that of economy. Under the present circumstances, with depression reigning round us. it would have looked very bad for the Council to have voted a salary to a secretary when his duties for the present are of such a light nature. No doubt, when the time arrives, as it will surely do, that the Boards merge themselves into the county system, then a secretary will become a necessity, and of course one will have to be found. In the meantime, I think the ratepayers of the County may congratulate themselves on having obtained the services of Mr Thynne, even supposing the Council should at the end of the year vote him a sum sufficient to defray the expenses m connection with his office. It is not to be supposed that he is going to do all the work and receive nothing ; nor, I venture to say, do the ratepayers expect or wish to be laid under any such a compliment either to their Chairman or members. The time may come when the Chairman of each County will be elected by the people, as it should have been m this instance, then those petty jealousies would never have cropped up. In the meantime, let its, as a County, do our duty, and not waste our valuable time m harping on a worn-out string ; give the Council — one and all — our help and sympathy willingly and confidentially ; that alone will compel them to do their duty freely and honestly to their constituencies, and by so doing we will get all the advantages that the present system of local government can possibly confer upon us. I am, &c, Faie Play. Manawatu, February 20, 1877.