RIDING REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13094, 1 May 1911, Page 4

RIDING REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY.

(To the Editor of "The Colonist.")

Sir, —In your issue of the 26th, a correspondent "Ratepayer" of Panga totara, in referring to the Council's action in dealing with this matter and the attitude of certain members towards myself, and anxious apparently to suggest a course affording a way out of the difficulty, a course not derogatory to the pride of either individual or Council, and which might be followed mutually to advantage, writes: "Could there not have been a legal opinion obtained from the best source, and the advice acted on either one waj or the other?" The "legal opinion" that "Ratepayer" would have us take for our guidance has been taken. The specific advice of the County Solicitor on this particular question was sought and at our last February meeting he specifically advised us that we should adjust our representation in proportion to rateable value and population, that it was mandatory to do so, and further, that if we refused to comply, any ratepayer could in his (counsel's) opinion compel the Council by mandamus to make the necessary adjustments. I am, etc., HORATIO EVERETT, (Councillor) Motueka Riding. Riwaka, 27th April.