OPEN COLUMN

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1513, 6 March 1885, Page 2

OPEN COLUMN

Our columns are open fo the dixm-simi or all. matter.-! of public interest, hul me are in no way identified with the cine? of oh r vorrexpoaden ts.

MISPLACED CONFIDENCE

(To this Editor, I.\ax<; ihi*a Times.)

Sir— Here in our secluded mountain home seldom or never any tiling happens to disturb the routine of daily events, but notwithstanding this „ur voluntary \ seclusion from the turmoil of public life, ! we are not wholly ignorant nor indifferent to what is going wii in the world. • From i the Ministry of which Gladstone is a member, down to the Council of which P. Breunau is Chairman. But the latter institution being nearest Id mo its policy I whether good „r bad having an immediate ''• and direct bearing upon our daily ptospect3 and progress, my preseut few re- j marks will be solely in reference to that misbegotten holy In my humble position my practical influence may not count for much, nevertheless, I have ,-ii ways taken an hif.jivsT. in Colonial an I local* politics, as being more material to our direct interests and requirments. But our best intentions are oft thwarted, and our judgments at a Kiss in our selection of mcii to represent our interests, and I can truly say. in reference to our County Council, that my past confidence in Mr'Brcnnan's K.lminihtrativ-e capacity was wholly misplaced, and I much regret to have* to admit that my influence has been on former occasions used in his interest who has occupied the responsible position of County Chairman and Treas ncr for successive years, but iv reality, who was but the nominal head of the Council, tho County Clerk being virtually the guiding star, and ruling power of that body t>.,litic. So palpably has .Mr Brennan* demonstrated his otter incapacity to conduct tlie public business in an independent and unbiassed manner, that I fwl shamed ; to acknowledge myself a formm* supported. Notwithstanding liisowiiiitf"-_todinin«_ncn and the fawning adulation so profusely lavished upon him by the editor of the //•:-/•</'■■/, who by the by paved his way to the C >unty c-ff. rs. N,,t one of the many accusations which has repeatedly and publicly been brought against the Council and their dependents, for which Mr Brennan is, or ought to be responsible, have as yet been confuted, aud I am fully convince 1. the more the Council organ tries to whitewash their dark deeds, the blacker will they appear to the discerning public The latest, and evidently preconcerted artifice by which £109 of the public monies was awarded to the proprietor of the Council organ, in rc-C'gni-tiou "I trow" of his indefatigable but futile endeavour t-» make black appear white, will no d<»ubt receive its merited share of public reprobation. Report says there is a facsimile of the above in embryo whereby another dip into the Treasury chest is anticipated £100 being the stipulated reward, presumably arising from a preconception of the maxim "you scratch my hack and I'll scratch yours." However, the maturing of tutt- cop will be watched with interest. Evidently the County safe has been a prolific milch cow to a few favoured sucklings who are under the paternal guardianship of the County Council This one-sided game has been played with unflageinc. vigilance for the nast. eight years. How much longer is it to last ? It is surely time we had a eiiange. I am Ac. Old Gully Haker's Mate.