Readers Write...

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1947, Page 4

Readers Write ...

I read with some amusement the remarks of “Stay Awake” re riding accounts, especially the use of the word “nerve” ascribed RIDING to me. I can asACCOUNTS sure “Stay Awake”

that my remarks at the county council table did not contain this word, which seems to have upset him and others. Furthermore, I am prepared to give £lO to any deserving charity he may mention if he can prove that I used this word, he to do the same if he is proved wrong. The question of the abolition of riding accounts was at all times discussed in open meeting with the Press present. Personally I am not suffering from nerves, and am always prepared to reply to questions re my attitude towards any policy matter in the council. I consider my remarks were quite justified when I said that it was not competent for the chafrman of the progressive society (a body that is admittedly doing a great deal of good in the town) to propose a motion advising the county council what to do on a purely domestic matter of policy, and one that has been vigorously debated on at I'east three occasions.

Mr Johnson has since stated that he moved as a private ratepayer and not in his position as chairman of the progressive society. As to the Government taking over

the county, I make no comment except to say that it might be expensive in more ways than one. At all events at present you do have an opportunity of removing your riding member if he does not satisfy you. You could hardly do that if he were a Government servant.—RlCHAßD FEAVER.

My reply to a letter by “Ratepayer” of August 16 is that protests from the public are far from “having raised a

storm in a teaBANK STREET cup.” The public BUS STOP have protested many times but all in vain. What does our borough council care about public protests ? If the sight of a returned soldier barely able to hobble with his walking stick, dragging his way painfully step by step to the bus terminal does not concern them, surely we cannot expect them to consider the young mother with her babe in one arm and a heavy basket of provisions in the other, nor the aged and infirm who could scarcely walk to the post office stop, let alone to the terminal or climb the hill to the upper bus stop. Perhaps we did not attend the ratepayers’ protest meeting but _ what would be the use ? The council has once again made up our minds for us. But I must thank our Mayor for his sympathy towards the above classes j and his endeavour to have the old i bus stop reinstated for their benefit.—“ANOTHEß RATEPAYER.” *