PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH MANAGEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 3

PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH MANAGEMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Implying to Mr Tait’a criticism) let mo here say that Mr Tait, at the general meeting of which 1 was chairman, was aliov/ei- greater privileges than any other citizen.. 1 allowed him to speak for fully id minutes in tire same strain as he has written, and it nas not until he had conveyed a breach of trust regarding tin late position he held in quoting considerations just completed by the auditor, and not considered or approved of by the council, that 1 pulled him up and carried on the meeting lor the purpose for which it was called. Had Mr Tait acted wisely as he put in hia own resignation, and said very little, public opinion would have been more sympathetic towards him than t will now ever be.

Mr Tait singles out Cr Lunn. Why not some of the other councillors as well? One is as guilty as the other, if one can so term it. If any wastage of money existed, Mr Tail must take the blame along with Cr Lunn, as he, himaelt, was also a councillor at that time, and he, along with others, gave Mr Luun very little freedom of speech or latitude, so the shoe pinches in the cpjmsite direction this time. I ask the public to think for itself and consider the tunnel construction out of revenue, the continued working loss on the gas works, the frittering away of money patching and doing nothing permanent, along with other things not mentionable here, that created the antecedent liability. It was said that any fool could be a mayor of councillor under Mr Tait. Ves, that is quite true if Mr Tait were allowed his own way to hold up things and do them when and a a he wanted to, not as wo wanted them. The present representatives are no fools and are out to do all possible to secure a profitable return for the expenditure created, and w© have had to force Mr Xait’s hands with the water extension and other permanent work “to do it as we desired.’’ As long as we represent the ratepayers we will do work of a permanent nature where required, as a visit round our borough will undoubtedly show the state of the streets, channels, etc., and you should hear users of these "going oft.” Mr Tait is entirely wrong as to his cost of the tunnel. Mussel Bay tunnel cost exceeds expectations It was to have cost £1 per toot, or £6OO in all. Now, as hardwood has to bo used, it will cost us £3ooo— say that the real cost will never be ascertained, as several items were not charged and we believe others were charged to other works. The increased value of the sinking funds is not due to Mr Tait or any other officer. Provision is made at the flotation of the loans for sinking funds and the Public Trust is the commissioner, and looks after the annual commitments to repay the various loans at date of maturity. These commitments, along with previous ones, bear interest winch helps to swell their value, so the public is not to be misled by such statements It would be very awkward for us, when refloating loans, if we did not have a sinking fund or reserve of some description to reduce such loan or loans at date of maturity. When on 3 begins to blow lus own whistle and becomes self-conscious that he is just the oue and cannot be done without, well, it is time for hia own good that a change was effected. Mr Tait should always remember that self praise is no recommendation. He tries to make people believe he has always been in charge of men Probably he was before be came to the corporation — one man and a boy. Aa to our staff, no criticism was ever attempted. Suffice to say that supervision and laying out of work could not be accomplished from an office chair. It is quite true that the staff must co-operate or no good is forthcoming. Probably three auditors might have examined the books, but the public must understand that the system used is laid down by the auditors to a greater or lesser extent, and again the public must be told that the assistant staS in the office is as essential and needs ts great co-operation as the outside cne. No morn good can come from these discussions. Mr Tait resigned of his own frse will and accord, and why should ne cry and wail at his own mistakes and misgivings and try to blame others for his want of foresight? This, in itself, _ now frees us from frirther criticism and discusrion—l am, etc., Thos. Anderson. Mayor. Port Chalmers, April a.