New Brighton Election.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7341, 22 July 1892, Page 3

New Brighton Election.

. TO THE EDITOR. ' Sir, — I cannot allow Mr Patterson's 3 letter to remain unanswered. As far as I | am aware, the " industrious circulation " _ exists only in his imagination. Mr ' Patterson has been Chairman of tbe Avon Road Board for the last two or three years. It will, I think, be of general interest if he ' will give seme information to the ratepayers upon matters of far greater \ moment. Why, for instance, has there been no annual meeting of ratepayers ? Where are the accounts for the year 1 ending March 31, 1892 ? Have they or 1 have they not been passed by the 1 auditor, and if not, why not? Is the ! New Brighton ward in funds, or is it in debit to a considerable extent? Is the general district aocount largely overdrawn, or in credit? Where , are the details of tbe expenditure, and why have they been so persistently withheld ? Where, also, are the account, of the New Brighton loan fund P These are public questions which Mr Patterson ought to be able to answer satisfactorily. If he cannot, what becomes of his " candidature to represent the interests of the ratepayers ?" It has been urged against me that I am opposed to the BurwoodRacecourse tramway. I am glad of tho opportunity to give an emphatic denial to such a statement. I did object to the particular route at the Christchurch end, but, so far from opposing tbe tramway, I advocated a northerly direction as a shorter and at the same time an entirely independent line. I know of no possible reason, public or private, wby the residents of the fast-growing suburbs of Shirley, Windsor, the racecourse, &c, should be debarred from tbe fullest facilities in the way of tramway communication ; and I may yet be able to prove, in a very practical way, that theee are no idle words. The deed of concession from the Avon Road Board has been signed, so that its consideration is "outside the range of practical politics." But surely, Sir, the issues at stake are far wider. What is required is that the affairs of the district shall be conducted on proper business lineß, and that a strong Board shall be established which shall perform ita functions without fear or favour, ever turning a deaf ear to the wire pullers. There has been too much mystery and secrecy in the past ; and, if elected, I shonld at all times take the ratepayers into my confidence, and give them the fullest information in my power. I hope that a public meeting will be arranged for before the polling day, so that the several candidates may address the ratepayers. — I am, &c, GEO. M'INTYRE.