HIGH RENTS AND HARD TIMES IN WELLINGTON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 515, 24 May 1909, Page 6

HIGH RENTS AND HARD TIMES IN WELLINGTON.

Sir,—l am writing this for the information of Comrado Dbwdall, D. M'Laren, and others who' are always railing at tho high rents and cost of living in Wellington. .Allow me to quote from your excellent Tβ-. port of Thursday's council mooting in yes-, terday's Dominion:— > "Dealing with rates and rents, Councillor Shirtcliffo quotod a return show- , ing that the amount of rates overdue on March 31, 1909, ■■ was just under £10,000. The amount overdue at Ancleland at the end of March last was £210, and although their rates, only totalled about half of Wellington's,' the fact that " Auckland was able 'to show such a balance proved that the local position must ..bo looked into.", \ Now, sir, is it not a fact that the rates hi ' the ,city of Wellington do not even pay the wages of the municipal employees, let alono anything else? Many people seem to think .that everything carried out by tho council, including free lectures and i band perform-

ances, is paid for out of tho ratee, and that the property-holdor, Jike a species of good , angel, provides theso delights for tho banefit of thoso loss fortunately endowed with this world's goods. That such is not the case cannot bo too clearly stated. In Auckland, which is a much larger district Wei-' lingfcon, and contains moio people, they havo '. only about half tho rates to pay that we less fortunate citizens in, Wellington struggle under! But then they have not this rating on unimproved values which is in force hero in Wellington. > The consequence is that whilst in Auckland there are' many hundreds of beautiful homes enabling a man to enjoy a little piece of garden attached to his cov, tace at very little expense, the same.jroperty in Wellington would quickly land you in tho Bankruptcy' Court. , And I contend, sir, without fear of contradiction, that hero I have placed my fin- - eer on th'o cause of a great deal ot th«