Page 3 Advertisements Column 7

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4038, 7 December 1881, Page 3

Electoral [advehtismcmtc.] TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CORO* MANDEL DISTRICT. f*\ ENTLEMEN,—Now we are on. the VjT ere of an Election, it is well for us to take a calm and reasonable survey of the qualifications of the several candidates for our patronage. First on the list, as being a man whose public career has been daily before us, I will take Mr Brodie, an old resident of the Thames, and I am not wrong in saying that all those resident here any number of years will be fully competent to take bis measure as I possibly can, when he was the paid agent and general hanger-on of an influential firm in Auckland—and when so acting, were his actions altogether i» accordance < with those of an honorable man P and have not those various acts of his-tended in no small degree to the reverse of -prosperity to many of us. It is not my intention to particularize instances, but I haw no doubt many among us have - good reasons for attributing motives—from actions bearing a very shady aspect— plausible in themselves, bufc suicidal . in their ultimate effects. Ido not accuse the gentleman of being- a spy Wpon the actions of others for the benefit of his employers, still I am credibly iaformed that his duties were of •« vwy suspicious character, and of such a mature that any man retaining a spark of, honour in him. would - repudiate with contempt. -: Ultimately he secures a seat at the Thames County Council for a very small constituency, and is by that body elected their Chairman, in which capacity hit actions are open to free ; comment. His social position prior to his elevation: to the sublime degree of Chairman is known? to all who have resided here any: length of time, and will not bear comparison with his present position. An ampte salary was granted him by his willing frieedrat that Council, which I believe)has Men several times increased, at:the.ar*s#w duties he has to perform in that eapieity are stated to increase so enormowly.'of late in particular, regardless of the necessity for economy, that, awe money might be expended on the roads of the County. Besides his salary, be has an allowance for travelling on the' County business, whether such travelling:should be deemed necessary or otherwises On one of bis travelling expedition's: it was 'f deemed necessory in the County's behalf to take a tour thro' the Waikatof with the then Native Minister for six^or eight weeks, when that gentleman was employed on business relating to hi» department through that district.' This tour is taken at an expense of/one pound one shillings per day,' with extras upon the pretence of begging money for bis "County. What control bad the Native < Minister over the funds of the:. Government; for County purposes, I wwuMid am StHl at a loss to discover. Apparently the i journey was a pleasure trip to keep the company of the then Honourable; John . Sheehan, and may^ave been of great advantage tp that gentleman at the time with his natives, but I confess I am very obtuse on the point, and fail to see it in that light. Nor can I see thow such a journey could or did, .in the Host remote degree benefit- the Thames^ iConnty; although the Council-v«tod.himl.a considerable amount' as remuneration for his great exertiom om their behalf; I have often heard • there ;arem«ray:*h©; really can be very generous«**«eitt jmbluf ssOMy. I am informed the'greater portioa of the rates collected in the Thames County are swallowed' up in '■ the working expenses appertaining to the office*-and I have a strong suspicion this is eombt? Is this a sUte of. things thai ou«bt to, exist P I hardly think way of the rate*»ysT*approve of the extravagant>expanditsffe,L!biit they evidently don't understand ) Sow c their money is squanderebV'Biad/ mtsy be avewe to stir, fearing to string odittfli| upon themselves. ■•• '■'-'> « -^cJ-st j«*j "xv.\ Then I•' would ask :you>teocoßeidw' whether he as Chairman he* property exercised his influence in the 1 supervision of the various' contracts let by that bodyP or has 'he Wt winked at gross irregularities, particularly displayed in the performance of some and the flagrant tyranny displayed by the engineer with reference <to others, and when complaintsl have been made of such tyranny; has he in'his capacity of Chairman, caused inquiry to bVmaoe and such complaints impartially adjusted P'lhmay unhesitating reply,' No, ;he ■> has -mot. Has he raised his voice in the' CobaeiHn any one instance for the- benefit of the poor man; when- he; ba» complained of injustice dealt outto him by the County's Engineer P I - say'again; JNo.i> Ho has rendered no assistance^ ito .get the. poor man fair play, turning a deaf ear, to his appeals for redress regardless of the losses sustained by: him. One instance ■■ occurs to me at the present moment. .The contractor for the Una road brought approved materials to the road of considerable quantity and at great expense, on the, deliver f of the bulk of that portion already approved, the whole '.was condemned without specifying any reason. The men are in debt; money is.-refused them ; their funds are'^ exhausted—they Cannot pay their debts for materials and work done for them on the road. They cannot proceed with the contract, tae' works are seized by the Engineer, iogtfr&er with all materials on-ithet ground; including;l the condemned portion 1; the fines, for the first time, are enforced 1 for delay, the balance due for work done to that date ia confiscated for fined, the deposit money retailed, and they are sent adrift with nothing mr their labor and outlay. The contract'is re-let 'at a touch higher -figure/ no doubt with • the usual understanding of County contracts; the . condemned materials are used up in the formation of the"* road, and passed-and approved of by the County. Engineer as of the required -quality, and all, things proceed as pleasantly as marriage bells. No payment is ■ made to the first contractors for materials condemned upon them, but used by his successor to the County's benefit; no redress or compensation is offered them' for the- loss and injury, nor is the Chairman's voice heard in their behalf advocating their cause in his place at the Council, although privately he consoles the men with' sympathy. Nor does he deem it any portion- of his duty aa'Chsirmaii'to enquire' into the truthfulness of the contractor's statements, nor lay the case before the: Council in a manner calculated to assist'the men, but quietly assumes the Engineer's statements are correct, and tbe'othersi erroneous: and without foundation.' " '■-■-' Is a man whose actions are! so flagrantly unjust, and who can exercise and allow his officers to exercise an;extent of revenge for supposed 'injuries, as was .the ease in that referred.to, a fit and proper