CORRESPONDENCE.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 172, 17 December 1912, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

fOm correspondents opinions are their own; the responsibility of editorial items makes sufficient ballast for the editor's shoulders. It is necessary that all letters for publication should bear the name of the writer—not necessarily for publication, but aseiidence of good faith.) • TO THE EDITOR.

Slß,—Some time ago it gave me very great pleasure to read your leading article upon the desirability of appointing a local

legal adviser to the Town Board. It was my intention to write and compliment you upon your action and to urge that your suggestions be carried out, but I refrained from doing so in the hope that the Board would take action of its own accord. I have followed the . reports of its meetings very closely, and am more than dis-

gusted to see that no endeavour is made by the Board to deal with this question. That such a condition of things should continue is little short of a disgrace. Two local resident solicitors have to play second fiddle to an outside man. Local business requires to be and should be encouraged,

and where should patriotism be shown more so than in the local governing body. I don’t think anybody would expect that the work now in hand by the present

solicitor be withdrawn, but 1 do think, Mr Editor, that all future

work should be dealt with by a local solicitor. If ratepayers allow such a thing to continue its a disgrace. If the Board does not take immediate action then we can only conclude that its interests, so far as local business is concerned, are nil. —I am, etc.,

Urgency.

TO THE EDITOR. SIR,—Mr Bickerstaff, in offering to form a fire brigade, is deserving of the fullest thanks of every resident in Te Awamutu, more especially of the business men, who doubtless have ere this personally thanked that gentleman for his timely and,valuable offer. The Town Board will surely re-consider its decision not to encourage the formation of a brigade till the indefinite date of tho completion of the water installation. To discourage any townsman who is prepared to gratuitously help us —and especially one with expert, knowledge such as Mr Bickerstaff has—is the right way to empty our town of public-spirited men. But perhaps the Town Board is not correctly reported. I hope for its own credit it is so. —lam, etc., - Cinders.

TO THE EDITOR. SIR, —On reading the report of Thursday’s meeting of the Town Board, published in your issue of Friday last, I was very sorry to

observe that the offer of Mr Bickerstaff to give his services in the formation of a fire brigade in Te Awamutu was not jumped at. In my opinion the time has arrived when it is essential that a fire brigade should be formed. To wait until the water supply is installed is tempting providence. Te Awamutu may be a sorry town one of these days—possibly much sooner than we expect. That the efforts of a brigade will be handicapped through lack of a water supply is all too true, but a bucket brigade, organised and drilled, may very easily be the means of preventing the spread of fire, and, as a salvage corps, will save many pounds’ worth of effects. —I am, etc.,

PREVENTION