PUBLIC APATHY AND BOROUGH COUNCIL ECONOMY.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3027, 5 April 1882, Page 2

PUBLIC APATHY AND BOROUGH COUNCIL ECONOMY.

TO THE EDITOH, Sih, — Tho apathy that characterises tho citißonnof this town in regard to municipal affairs ia the more to be deplored in that tho absence of public opinion prevents any wholoßome restraint being placed upon the actions of the mombora of our Council, and the irresponsible power* which they exercise havo contributed to load us into the desperate financial difficulties we are now laboring under. It seems also as if personal prejudice were the main factor in connection with tho engagement of the town's employees, the Councillor* ignoring tho fnct that likes and dislikes should be forgotten in tho deairo to do the best for tho borough thoy represent, Now, it would seem that at the present time there is groat necessity for the publio to keep a watchful oye upon the actions of our representatives. On every side people are Baying thai something is going to be done that should not, and yet the requisite enerpy or interest is wanting to bring the dissatisfaction to more publio notice. And yet, when examined, the whole affair is easily deciphered. The cry of the Council ia eoonomy. Four or five hundred a year ia to be saved in aalaries, no doubt at the ezpenae of efficiency ; but no matter, it will be saved. But what if this is also a means to an end for private pique ? Should the financial propositions be agreed to at the coming mating, how many of the old MrvAnts

will bo left ? It is certain that tho whole staff in connection with tho municipal part of tho office will be nltcrod, and much for tho worse. When th© report of th« last Council meeting appeared, it was simply stated that the engineer had laid on the table a recommendation as to reductions in his department by which a great saying would bo effected. The detniU were suppressed, but the writer has obtained a copy. The modest youth who condescends to " ongineer " for im commences his reductions by voting himself a rise of L 125 ! and then compensates for this by dismissing three men and reducing tho rest, all probably married men trying to exist on soven ■hillings a day. The following is the lilt: Mr Harper's recommendation re reductions in hit department — Harper to be raised from L 250 to L 375 Edwards „ dismissed Beardsman „ Duguid „ „ Marwood „ reduced by L 9 4i Irvine „ „ „ Welsh „ „ „ Grey „ „ Fraser „ „ L3l 4s Dineen „ „ „ It would be a gratuitous task to show that on all the grounds of common honesty the advertised salary of L 250 should bo adhered to at least until tho present young man has done some roal service for the town, which up to the present ho has not done. Plans for raising an earth bank are not much strain on intellect, and the main work for which he was elected as being an authorised surveyor — viz , the survey of ground along the race, he has not done. Hoping the councillors will reflect before they perpetrate a real injustice, — I am, etc., Vox Popuii.