PORT CHALMERS FINANCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22630, 23 July 1935, Page 14

PORT CHALMERS FINANCES

, ■ ■ 'TO THE EDITOR Sib, —With reference to the letter from “Hard-up Ratepayer” in Saturday’s issue, may I ask your permission to say that, while not agreeing with the Mayor putting off men to save money in order to keep the borough rates down, I would like to inquire concerning the donations referred to by the Mayor? I am led to believe that one of the donations, of £3O, goes towards the Marine Band fund. As most of us'are aware, the band invested in new uniforms and a. complete set of new instruments, which heavy expenditure. At the same time the band has had the privilege of the services of an honorary bandmaster, which has naturally enabled, it to carry on and to help pay for the instruments. Now it appears that some of the members .Of the band have dispensed with the services of the man who has willingly helped them, by throwing him out* of office in order to qlect a paid conductor, and I would very much like to quesiton if the council would be justified in using tbe ratepayers’ money to subsidise a payment that is quite unnecessary. It. is quite true that no-reason-ablv-minded ratepayer will grudge the extra few shillings for the very necessary work of the borough, but when it comes to the combination running, itself into such a procedure it is certain that some of us will object,—l am, etc.. - Another Hard-up Ratepayer. July 21. • ” .. .