COUNTY V. CHAPPLE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1126, 30 November 1883, Page 3

COUNTY V. CHAPPLE.

TO THJE EDITOR. . Sir,—The letter in your last issue signed " Ratepayer," the writer tries to make light of the shortcomings of the Council, thinking the performing their duty, or omitting it, merely a matter of form. A Treasurer omi s to audit the accounts (us it is only a matter of Lrm), and the ratepayers are >lefraude 1 to the tune of £SOO, and an innocent fumily is overwhelmed in i etrea viable disgnc", and one unit more is added to the stray sheep of the community ; the Councillors neglect their duty, and collect nine-tenths of the rates hefore ever a rate is made, and to correct their neglect they a false date. The correct one, according to " Ratepayer's" theory, is o"ly a matter of form. Knowing th' y hail no legal standing in a Court <if law, a3 their own lawyer told them so, they, nevertheprosecute knowing as they well did they would succeed. , 7tie decision of two judges in a''similir case is a proof their lawyer was correct, as fnr'iiiy bj 'cting to pay on a quibhle, I was'charne 1 31 per cent, more last year than the previous one, ami 120 per cent, more than the' present one, without the property being either increased or improved, but I did not appeal, thinking it better to pay than take any trouble over it, although I considered it an act of injustice. It is a great pity that " Ratepayer" did not Bign his name, as he might have gained notoriety hy writing such an exceptional letter, and incalculating such convenient , mod Bof conducting business, and should a Vacancy occur he is just the man to make an excellent Councillor of, and 1 have not the least doubt lie would be returned by a grateful community.—l am, etc., John Cole Chaffle. November 26th, 1883.