CLUTHA COUNTY FINANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22568, 11 May 1935, Page 7

CLUTHA COUNTY FINANCE

. TOB THE EDITOR

Sm, —I do not at this time propose entering into a newspaper controversy with "Interested Party" regarding Olutha 1 County finance. My remarks at the latest ' meeting of that body were made while'l was advocating the abolition of the system of riding ■ accounts. As the matter lias not yet been discussed by the council but will come up for discussion at its next meeting. I feel J can safelv leave it there in the meantime, feeling sure that each member will give the matter due consideration, and I believe that .support that will enable my proposal to be carried by a vote of, the council. Failing that, I shall be quite prepared to. disfcus-s the. matter, in public,. and' I believe I will prove to " Interested Party " and others that the drastic remarks were justified. . The comment which " Interested Party makes on the state of the Maclennan Riding 1 account only goes to prove that he does not know what he is talking about. When I state the fact that when: I took office.a little over three years ago the account was in debit to the tune of

over £I6OO, while to-day it stands at a little over £I2OO, this reduction having been effected notwithstanding the bad times through which we have passed, and when I also state that I' secured"* reduction of a farthinp; in -the. rate levied durinz the past two years,,that tne work in the ridina; has been well arid faithfully carried out, and that the improved condition of the roads- were' mentioned m the annual report at the'' last meeting of the council, I leave it to the ratepayers of the Maclennan Riding to say. whether or not there has been. extravagance during my term. ■■:,'"'■ • if ', With regain to the question whether I am justified in expressing my. opinion regarding Clutha County affairs, .Una whether I should have expressed .this opinion before the election, I may._say. that I faced two elections in a little over three years, and previous to ..the 'polling days gave my views, on.county: matters. Because on this occasion I enter, the council without an election I am supposed to be dumb. Now, Sir. I do not intend to allow this fact to'.' hinder -me from endeavouring to do what I consider is my duty to the ratepayers of the Cluths County.—l am, etc.; : Heney A. Brough.