MANSE RATES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 66, 26 February 1880, Page 3

MANSE RATES.

'■'To the Editor. Sir —I notice in your report of the Borough Council proceedings last night, that the appeal of the Rev. Keall against heinsr rated for the Wesleyan manse, was disallowed, and that the strongest opposition came from that would-be champion of the right, who is always ready to endorse some previous speaker’s remarks, and sees something “ monstrous ” in the actions of every one except in his own. I refer to Mr. Sk Hill. Now, Sir, I fail to see that any “ monstrous injustice” would have been done had the appeal been allowed. I also fail to see what a previous cmajn unication respecting “ circus doas t referred to Mr. St. Hill has to do with present question of manse rates. One thing is certain, that whether the dogs paid their rates or not before leavi ig they did their pestering, noisy barking, much to the annoyance of people who resided in the vicinity ,of the circus tents ; and niucli after the same manner as Councillor St. Hill seems to do 3iis. I would suggest to him that instead of making such a “ monstrously ” ludicrous exhibition of himself by continually expressing his opinions, and coming to conclusions before he knows the real merits of a case, he should wait a little and allow men of sounder judgment and stronger reason than himself, to express their opinion first. Exempting the manse might have been a bad precedent to establish were it not already established by wiser heads Ilian our councillors, and become the lav/ of usage of the land ; but it would not be a “ monstrous injustice ” for it is only a matter of a few pounds, and the objection I presume was not lodged by the rev. gentleman in his own interest, but in the interests of a public body. 1 challenge by an appeal to the rate roll the correctness of the statement of the Mayor and Councillor Robinson, when they say that all other manses in the district are rated by the Road Boards : the roll is the true source of information. All the Weslcyans want, I presume, is the same privilege, and to he placed on an equal footing with all other public religious bodies, and which they have a right to expect. Councillor S*. Hill is an Episcopalian, and Council!- r Robinson a Presbyterian—why ; then should they seek to impose on any other body that tax frem which they are : freed. —1 :m, &c., Observer.