CORRESPONDENCE. BOROUGH BUSINESS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 963, 24 November 1882, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

BOROUGH BUSINESS.

TO THE EDITOR Sißj—ln answer to “Ratepayer's” second edition on economy, which he had a perfect right to write about, if he could have produced any cheaper way of working the Borough machinery, I must say that I am afraid he belongs to.a certain party that has never done any good for the place, and never will. I came to the conclusion on reading his first letter, that he was some new coiner who wanted some information, but did not know the way to obtain it ; but since the last letter appeared, I have marie up my mind that he is some insignificant and unmanly ratepayer, or else he would not.get other people to make the bullets, and then stand behind some hedge to fire them off. The remarks in “ Ratepayer’s ” last letter are quite enough to show the public what kind of a man ho is, for they are far from manly. Perhaps he will be bold enough to come forward, if I challenge him at the coming meeting when the candidates for Mayor address us. I think that lean answer all his, questions and give him all kinds of satisfaction, for by his style of biting—as he says he has bitten me—he must be one of those unmanag-eable animals that require a muzzle on. I should like Ratepayer ” to inform me what the salary of the Borough Council officers has to do with me. I am perfectly indifferent whether they are paid or not. But that is not the worst part of his mean effusion ; his remarks in the latter part of his letter tend to prove what I said just now that he has not courage to sign his name, and argue the question in a straightforward manner, and not be quite so spiteful for the sake of the town and district. As regards having all my properties for sale, I have not half of them, for I* have some at Normality and some at Wanganui, and more in tin's town, and I am not going to leave Patea, so that I am not quite so bad as lam painted by “ Ratepayer” One thing lean say ; Poverty is no sin. 1 Perhaps he has made a sin of it, as he tells us he has been reared up a virtuous pup, question? There is one more point, and that is, why did ho not confine himself to the question of economy, and discuss the matter in a gentlemanly manner, in place of making such mean remarks, which I think - are more applicable to himself. 1 challenge him through this letter to meet mo at any public meeting, where we can have it out before the public. Then we shall be able to judge if he is a public man or not. As 1 am writing this a friend of mine just told mo of a conversation that he had with “ Ratepayer,” and I have not been far off the scent the whole of the lime. Well and truly may he say that ho was brought up a virtuous pup. lam much afraid that if ho faces me before a public audience I shall make him blush, for some of his old tricks are not forgotten, the one lately in particular. Trusting this will bo the last wo shall hoar of “ Ratepayer’s ” scheme on economy,—l am, &0., James Lett. [Wo have excised portions of the above letter of a too personal nature. Enough has now been said on the subject,— Ed]