USING PUBLIC POSITION FOR PRIVATE GAIN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3104, 30 April 1879, Page 2

USING PUBLIC POSITION FOR PRIVATE GAIN.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Most ratepayers will agree with the article in the News of Saturday last, as to the reckless way in which their money has bo?u expended. It is in some measuro satisfactory to know, however, that it was the action of the former Council ami Mayor, as this gives hopes of better bjsiness ability on the part of those now in power • and, beyond this, there is t he assurance of our present Mayor that ho will do all that lies in his power to remedy such evils. While ratepayers will agree on this point, it is amusing that the charge should hare beeu brought forward by the editor of the Neivs, who himself advocated the expenditure of the rates to increase the value of private property ; who sneered at the "tradesmen (in the Council) without any aesthetic taste," because they reiused to use the rates to support a privato library, for the use of those who, without doubt, consider themselves the cream of society, and yet are not beneath accepting such charity ; who, at the first meeting of the incomplete Harbour Board, ignored the action of tho former Board and recklessly voted the Engineer's salary again, without that calm consideration which ought to have be9n given to such an important stop ; and who now, haring failed in former at'empts to get private individuals bonefitted at pnblio expense, stoops to use his position as a member of tho Harbour Board for that purpose.

A friend of his is famed for quotingthe saying that " Ccesar's wife shonld be above suspicion." Let him take this saying 1 into consideration, and avoid advocating in his position of editor — or, still worse, as an elected officer of a Board — anything which will specially pro6fc himself or any personal friend : let him rather err on the other side, and let others appear as the advocate in all such matters. As regards his sneer about want of costbetic taste, any man may like every, thing nice and tidy about his own house and property, and he may be an admirer of the refined and beautiful in things of his neighbour's ; but; it is in the order of man's nature that he objects to pay for his neighbour's refinement, however mnch be may admire. — I am, &c, A Ratepayer.

When lovely woman stoops to conquer it is generally for the purpose of picking up a fire-brick or a flat-iron to throw. — KeoJcuk Constitution. What was it the gang saw ? There wouldn't have been any milk in the cocoanut if some of our dairymen had had the original construction of it. A good riddance to the Chinese. This CDnntry wants washing bills which it can read, even if it can't pay 'em. — Chicago Tribune. Modjeska's car has been thrown off the track. Good ad. Kind of like getting pnffs from a locomotive, as it were. — Detroit Free Press.