Correspondence.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 August 1912, Page 3

Correspondence.

(Our correspondents' opinions are their own; the responsibility of tho editorial ones makes sufficient ballast for the Editor's shoulders.) COMRADE THOMPSON'S FIVEPENNY KATB. (To the Editor). Sir,—l received a lovo letter from tho Town Clerk last week and called at his office yesterday, not with any intention of paying my rates, but to have a look at tho rate book, for comrade Thompson's letter sot mo thinking. This good comrade says that the rates will be reduced on every house in Levin, and naturally" I wanted to know wiio would have to pa|r the piper instead, under the new od rate on the unimproved value. After a short study of the rate book, "I found out that the landed classes in Levin would no longer lord it over us as 'hitherto for this is how it pans out:— Farmer A.—A ten-acre man whose nates last year amounted to £5 9s 5d (which includes half rates for water). Under comrade Thompson's od rate this man's rates wo ih 1 come to £9 7s 6d. Farmer B, —fifteen acres. Last year's rates alco including the half rate for water ( amounted to £10 15s 7d. Under Comrade Thompson's od rate this owner will have to pay £21 17s (3d. Farmer C.—Twenty acres. Out of the water area. Rates last year £7 -Is od. Comrade Thompson's 5d rate would increase theso rates to £14 11s Bd. Farmer I).—Thirty-seven acres. Last year's rates, including full water rate on part of the farm and half rate on the balance, amountted to £27 12s. But under Comrade Thompson's -5d rate idea, our friend Fanner D will have to forkover £46 si. So that, Mr Editor, in spite of your antiquated notions, I say more power to Comrade Thompson and his clan, who will let us for once take our hands out of our own pockets and place them in the long, deep pockets of the landed aristocracy of this town with their broadfive acres or more! lam so taken with the idea that after a little more onliglitineivt I Relieve T will join the brotherhood, and so I subscribe myself, COMRADE THIRTY-PERCHES. RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUE. (To tho Editor.)

Sir, —I have not commented at all on your lender bearing on the above, bub the anonymous one shrinks from giving his usual signature in response to the 'opinions of three better men than himself. Tf wo treat the unimproved value (in prospect) as fruition, this correspondent brings to my mind an old gentleman's stratagem for preserving his orchard during tho ripening season; he conspicuously displayed a calico notice reading thus: "Beware of tho Dog." Certain, who differed in tho interpretation, after iilling their bags, decided to alter the sign, ma.king it I to read: "Ware be the Dog?" I beg to repeat this revised version and re Lex Talionis—Ware be the D()g? Has he strayed?.or. is doing a will-o'-the-wisp/•'Skjrid of% chasing after tho ment of his own, his-.yev&^Apr''at-tempt to bark. l\\\t isjjjO&Jrsly', sir, this rating is in,YOguV ; in-nearly fifty boroughs, iiieiusive of tho Wellington and ""■ Christchureli cities. Minamar from" part rating. , .to full rating. Therefore Levin, apart from its status, will not be ashamed of the company it keeps,in the near future;; F.ive- of the fifty had a, proposal-to rescind before them, but refused— viz., Devon port, Hamilton, Hsnvera, Invercargill and Woolston. Yours, etc., r s -' W.M.F.