KIWITEA COUNTY COUNCIL RATES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 109, 5 November 1896, Page 2

KIWITEA COUNTY COUNCIL RATES.

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed amongst the settlers living in the Marton Noh. 1 and 2, and Onslow Farm Homestead Association Block, over the payment of two years' rates, which are now demanded by the above Council. Some ratepayers, who were sorely frightened by receiving the official notice from the Council, immediately paid the demands, while the greater number of ratepayers insist that the Council has no right to collect rates from the properties where the Council has not yet spent a farthing on making roads, or giving accessin any way to such lasd. If the demands of the Council are to be met, then we must own that the settlers are being freely trodden upon. First, because they have to pay the Receiver of Land Revenue, Wellington, the yearly interest of 4 per cent on fc'so, which is added to the capital value of each and every section, making a total yearly interest on about £210. At the sale of these grounds in Marton, about three years ago, the Commissioner of Crown Lauds distinctly stated that this special amount, added to the capital value of the land, would be sufficient money to give road access to each section, but I am sorry to say that such has not been the case. Where a road is formed to one section a dozen have only bridle track access. There is evidently a screw loose in the Commissioner's promise somewhere, as no sooner had the settlers been granted their leases, than a demand from the Kiwitea County Council was made upon them for rates, to be used, where ? Echo answers, where ? Second, Because if the nettlers here are to bo compelled to pay rates to the Council, then they will be almost the highest rated settlers in the colony. I know of no other settlers who have to pay two rates and only receive benefits from one, and very little from that. I don't think for a moment ratepayers would object to paying two rates if benefits were derived from each. It is high time that each ratepayer knew what was going to be done with their rates, if paid. It has been suggested that a petition be drawn up regarding the payment and expenditure of such rates, aud that it will be forwarded to see what can be done in the matter. I am, etc., New Chum. Rangiwahia, November 2nd, 1896.