OPUNAKE LOCAL BODIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1930, Page 8

OPUNAKE LOCAL BODIES.

(To‘ the Editor). Sir.—At a recent meeting of ratepayers in Opunake in connection with ■ Power Board matters'Mr.' A. J. Brennan is reported- as. having complained that certain statements of the Power Board chairman had "cast odium on the community of Opunake.” Surely Air. Brennan’s imagination is limited. Does he realise the odium .and ridicule he him-, sei. is causing by allowng the Harbour Board to dictate to the Town Board in tne matter ,of appointment of a town clerk? Opunake has reached the stage when a competent town clerk is essential to the welfare of -the' town. Yet what do we find? In, the conditions of appointmpnt ,/lhe clerk, anipug other things, must "undertake the duties of signalling, directing and berthing shipping, attention to wharf, warps,, etc.” 'A'hy-cannot the Town Board apply for a clerk with the proper and usual qualifications, and if. necessary allow the clerk to act as rate-collector (at a nominal salary) to the Harbour Boaid. 1 venture to prophesy that not one man in a thousand who has the knowledge necessary to fill a position as town clerk | has the additional shipping experience required by the Harbour Board. The result will be the appointment of some, sailor out of work who-knows notli.’ig whatever of town management.— I aih, etc., I BATTL'i AXE. • Opunake, September 25, 1930.