LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13889, 29 April 1907, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

CITY COUNCILLORS' PICNICS.

Sni,—On reading your issue of Saturday wo arc informed that a picnic or something in that line is arranged for Monday at Waipori. This is one of a series that have tan got up during the present council's term of office, and it, would bo'of interest to ratepayers to know what necessity there is for such an excursion. It would form an interesting pieoo of reading if a return of all councillors' travelling expenses to Waipori and otlier places (luring the lust 12 months wero given for general information to the ratepayers, who are all entitled to such.

The retiring Mayor, who lays claim to such economy, etc., might furnish 6uch a return beforo vacating the mayoral chair.; These picnics and excursions appear to have cost tho city a largo amount of; money, and to my mind come under the•heading of "Unauthorised payments"' under tho aot. As a ratopaycr I propose,-, if such a return is not furnished, drawing the Auditor-gonoral's attention to the matter. Trips for tho purpose of enabling councillors to grasp or gain information are' not objectionable, but. picnics euch as that of Monday should not be allowed for one moment at the citv's expense.—l am, otc., - A Lap.ce Ratepayer.

MORNIXGTOK MUNICIPAL - TRAMWAYS.

Srn,—As it has been openly stated within the past few days (hat tho Mornington councillors and others have, for a considerable time, been using tram tickets which have not been paid for, and thus riding on-tho corporation's trams at tho expense of tho ratepayers, I hereby publicly declare that T have novor used or received any free tickets, nor was I aware until to-day that such wero being used. I leavo other councillors to exonerate themselves, if they are in a position to do so. As I understand this secret privilege hns been availed of to a very considerable extent, and no check of any sort on an abuse of tho privilege existed, this may account to a great extent for the small balance over the expenditure for tie past year.—l am, etc.,

-• A. Millar, Ex-councillor, Mornington, April 26.