A RICHMOND MEETING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 17 December 1936, Page 14

A RICHMOND MEETING

(To The Editor'' Sir,—The franchise for the Waimea Power Board Loan Poll to-day is a most peculiar one. It would he interesting to know the exact why's and wherefore's of it. Would it ho too much to ask you. Sir, to ask some "Powcr-that-is” and let year readers know about it. Those eligible to vote were “All Waimea County ratepayers within the present Waimea area of supply, the Wakapuaka area, portion of the Belgrove area and the districts of Bronte ancl Maha'na are entitled to one vote each, and the wife (or husband) of every ratepayer in the Richmond Borough and the Tahunanni Town District is also entitled" to one vote.” In other words Mrs Richmond and Mrs Tahuna are on the roll hut Mrs Stoke and Mrs Wakapuaka are not. On the face of things this appears to he a ridiculous unfair anomaly. Of course there may he dark hidden reasons. Personally I can’t se why Mrs Richmond and Mrs Tahuna just because their husbands are ratepayers, should he entitled to vote, but if they are, then why on ertli shouldn’t Mrs Stoke and Mrs Wakapuaka (also wives of ratepavers) be allowed to go to the booths? I wag going' to ask Mr Grcenslade about this at the final meeting at Richmond last night, but really he was looking so tired and done in that 1 hadn’t the heart to add this bit to his harrying. There was one or two unpleasant incidents at this meeting last night, and there was one matter brought up Sir, that I feel those of your readers who were present would like you to clear up for them. The Town Clerk rose at the outset and protested that the Mayor had not been asked to take the Chair at the meeting. ITe contended that for any public meeting called ii> the borough, the Mayor should be invited to take the Chair. His Worship, himself, appeared very annoyed, and after one speech, he rose and stated that he wished to publicly thank the gentlemen who had just spoken, for coming to him before the meeting and asking “permission” to speak in the borough. Could you let us know if the Town Clerks contention is right? Also if it is necessary to ask “permission” of a Mayor before one may speak at a public meeting in “his” Borough.—l am, etc., “ANOTHER BITE.”