TOWN BOARD.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 178, 17 March 1896, Page 2

TOWN BOARD.

(to the editor.) Sir, —With reference to your leader in to-day’s issue, in which you regret so much the retirement of Mr Rogers frcftn the chair of the Town Board, it gives me great pleasure to endorse your opinion with regard to him as being everything you say, and we all no doubt regret this hasty action on his part, although it is hard to believe the reasons set forth are entirely the cause, and yet in spite of certain inconsistencies they may be, as our late chairman had perhaps been rather too long in that position, which he must have found very trying of late, and to a nature slightly egotistical, any opposition, or rather assertion on the part of one of his late colleagues, seemed to him unwarrantable ; and no doubt to a man of his superior judgments, when your humble servant ventured his opinion and carried that opinion into effect, behold the result, and we are once again plunged into electioneering expenses ; but it’s a true saying—“ It’s an ill wind,” &c., &c., although it’s a pity, seeing the Town Board’s term is drawing near a close. I venture to hope, however, that the poor remnants of the City Fathers will manage to struggle along with their duties to the satisfaction of the ratepayers, if not to yourself. With regard to the work now being done on King Street, I may mention, for the benefit of ratepayers, that this matter was brought up several times by me in presence of full Boards, and beautifully shelved each time, although the benefit of the work was admitted, and Works Committees,

which seldom now turn up, deputed to see to it, so I determined, as a useful and permanent work, it should be carried through, and if members absent themselves on Board nights I think they ought to abide by decision of majority in works passed. I am not anxious, as you would have me say, to dissipate any funds except in a good and profitable way, and then it would be well invested in opening up the township, not dissipated, and I say again that money spent on good permanent work is well spent. Now as to the tenders which were opened in Mr Rogers’ office before all but one member of the Board. Mr Rogers opposed the work, and then as he desired an explanation as to why the lowest tender should not be accepted, I gave my reasons then ; and again at the last Board meeting, where I was not bound once more to explain, but so that the ratepayers might get my reasons I gave you the opportunity of publishing your article when asked. In dealing with tenders it is the Board’s duty to take into account circumstances connected with the various contractors, whose works the Board have seen, and not necessarily the lowest tender (I might refer you to a leading article in Times of February 28th, 1896), no matter what may have been the custom of previous Boards, and in moving for the second lowest I believed it to be in the interest of the ratepayers solely, however you may strive to twist my words, and I gave Mr Costello the reasons, and they were not on account of inferior work, and the difference between the two lowest tenders was too little to influence me in favor of the lowest.

In conclusion, and this to the ratepayers (more writing on your part on this matter must necessarily be ignored by me, as I do not appreciate what I consider your very transparent partiality in your article of above date), I have acted in this matter solely and entirely in the interests of the town, and ask you not to be duped into any other belief, as is intended I imagine, and at any rate it is to be . hoped when next Board is elected more interest will be taken by all to put in meu who are impartial, and who don’t use other people’s money to benefit friends, which charge I is absolutely false in my case, for I am certain if under similar circumstances anything of this kind should occur again, I will act just as I have done while on this Board.—l am, &0., John Stewart. Opunake, 13fch March, 1896.