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Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 11 July 1881, Page 2

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AU correspondence intended for insertion mvst be accompanied by the real name of the writer, as a guarantee of good faith. Our columns are open at all times for the discussion of matters of public interest but it will be understood that we are in no way identified with the vievss or opinions of our correspondents THE WELLINGTON EXPEDITION. -♦- [to the editor inangahua times.] Sir,— Verily, things are drifting to a pretty pass when two of our County Councillors can vote and appropriate to themselves, a large amount of tbe ratepayers money to enable them, tbe said Councillors, to make an excursion up to the Empire city— for what purpose, tbe public have been kept in utter darkness. I would like to know who sent up this would-be deputation, or what were tbey sent up for ? What or whom do they represent ? I am convinced they do not represent the County, and I can find no one who can say that tbey represent the Coun'y Council, in fact some of our County Councillors were quite unaware of their appointment until after they (the supposed delegates) had taken their departure with, of course, our money in their pockets. Truly, the mission of those self-constituted delegates remains to me a mystery, and I doubt very much whether if is within your powor to clear up the mystery or to furnish any satis* factory explanation. Your contemporary, tbe Herald, attempted an explanation, but utterly failed to show the public the necessity of the expenditure in connection with the expedition or any possible benefit likely to be derived therefrom. The Hon. J. Hall naively and respectfully informed them that if they re» duced the object of their mission to writing, that the different departments would give it due consideration, mdi* eating indirectly but very plainly that their presence was not at all necessary. Could not the writing have been done in Reefton, and forwarded to our representatives at Wellington at the cost of a few pence, and be equally if not more effective then our £70 expedition, but that would not answer their purpose they, the Executive Committee, are the comptrollers of the public purse, and who dare say nay. But there is a power, a power infinitely superior lo County Council or Inangahua Herald,

*"^*— —*———— —— *■--—— ——» il —____». ii i m ■■___j_* and lhat power is ruMic opinion, and public opinion selected nnd elected a gentleman to represent u-* in the person of Mr Weston, who I am convinced would have more influence with Ministers, and could do more for this district in the way of securing for us our just *nd legitimate right- then could our County Councillors were they to go al up in a bo.iy. Therefore. I fail to sec how any benefit can be derived by tbe public from the visit of the illustrious self 'delegated embassy. But on the contrary I think, and I am fully convinced the public will agree with mc. that the money appropriated by the said «elf»appointed delegates is an unwarant* able. unnecessary, and ille^Uimate appro* priation of the ratepayers moneys, and deserving the censure of all right think' ing honest men, of course those who are behind the scenes will think otherwise, but public opinion and public action must and will protect public interests. Tho public no doubt will give credit to whom credit is due, and your contemporary is duly entitled to the credit of being an adept i i the art of distemper, colouring, and spurions gilding, hence his adaptability to the occ-'sion, and his plausible and strenuous* efforts to hp^d-fink the public, and liis vrr'Uous^enTTea7ours to justi'y acts which the public emphatically condemn, but his system is not genuine, consequently it cannot be last-' ing or durable, it will not stand tho test of pxposure, and light will tarnish and destroy it, and the subjects operated on will appear worse and more unsightly to tho impartial exiromer then it did previous to the artificer's futile attempt at embelishraent, and now, sir, as I fear I have already trespassed too much on your time and space, I will confine myself to asking just one more qu°B' ion. viz, upon what grounds or authority did our very generous Execu'ive Committee award compensation to certain contractors for work not done beyond what was speeiGed and shown on plans when tendered for? In conclusion, I hope nil who may feel aggrieved at my enquiries or remarks may not have recourse to that terrible " Boycotting " punishment. In fear and trembling, I am, &c, One of the Publ-c. Reefton, Bth July, 1881.