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COUNCIL CHAMBER FOR CRAFERS.
To the Editor.
Sir—I see that "H. Curtis," Piccadilly, is still
pegging away at the proposed council chamber.
"H.C." most have a very bad memory. I would
remind him that the mover of the motion at the
ratepayers' meeting distinctly stated that the cost
of an overdraft would not, in his opinion exceed
£10, and that £120 would be available as
soon as the rate was declared, so that a very small
sum would be paid for the use of the money for
two years. "H.C." also states that the councillors
and the clerk voted. Surely Mr. Curtis, with
his democratic principals, would not deny the
council their right as ratepayers to vote on such
a question. He also states that the cost will be
at least £500, including stable for councillors'
horses, sheds for rollers, fencing, surveying, care
taking, &c. I suppose it would with all the
extras referred to. I would remind "H.C." that
the stable now in use is quite sufficient; that I
neither the mover of the motion nor any of the
councillors included a shed for the roller. The
piece of land on which the council intend to
erect the building is not at present fenced, and
there is no real necessity for this to be done for
a few years after the building is placed on it. We
shall still have the two mails a day at Piccadilly
if the council chamber is built. I am glad
that "H.C." has studied the Act. He will no
doubt be able to learn that the present council are
not working with their eyes closed to facts. He also
asks why are the councillors afraid to take a poll.
I will leave that for the council to answer; but,
personally, I think the course adopted was the
right one. The ratepayers' meeting in July was
one of the largest ever held in the district, and
one gentleman in particular, who was known to
be opposed to scheme, devoted a good deal of
his time previous to the meeting canvassing
against it, and yet it was carried.—I am &c.,
RATEPAYER
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