STIR IN THE COUNCIL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5077, 19 January 1927, Page 2

STIR IN THE COUNCIL.

(To the Editor..} Sir,—Re that “Stir in the Council” at our last borough meeting, and the report thereon in your columns of the 17th Inst., probably there are some who are wondering what all “the stir” is about, and with a view to offering an explanation and a few 'facts I shall be glad if you will publish this letter. In the first place, the Mayor hopes to create a special rating area in our main street from the Bank of New Zealand to Mr Blyth’s shop, and for his objective proposes to raise a loan o'f one. thousand pounds sterling to purchase and add ni re bitumen to this area than is already provided for in his estimates'. To find security for this, loan it is proposed to levy a special rate equal to producing one, penny in the pound on all rateable front, sections facing the area in quejti'n, repayment o'f the loan to be spread over a period of 36% years. In my opinion, and that of others to whom I have sp :, ken, this is an inequitable and unfair proposition. What is the object in forming a borough ? Is it not to 'form a unit whereby every ratepayer residing within that unit will assist his neighbour and each and everyone help one - another f<T the ultimate benefit of the whole ? If so, then why attempt to benefit one portion of the community at, the expense. o'f the other by creating special rating areas within that unit and demanding from a few that which should be borne by the whole 1 The principle is bad, will tend to cause ill-feeling, and be an injustice to the objectors. If this special rate was levied over the whole of the borough, then I should say the proposal might carry, although a good number of our ratepayers think the present rates are high efiough for the benefits leeeived. Then, again, bitumen is generally condemned as a permanent reading material, and perishes within ten years or less (vide Belmont and Puke roads), yet, we are asked to continue to pay a rate to defray the cost f<”r 36% years.

In reference to “the stir,” the least said the sooner mended. I shall be happy at any time to' give my version of this undignified episode to any ratepayer who may be interested. Suffice it to say that a resolution is recorded on the bote'ugh books to this effect, namely : “That ‘providing’ the town clerk obtains 75 per cent, of signatures according to regulations under the Act of the ratepayers Effected, the machinery for obtaining the thousand pounds be then set in motion." At our last borough piling the Mayor, in reply, stated that the 75 per cent, had been obtained and the machinery pari passu set in motion, whereas I say that the 75

per cent, has not been obtained : consequently the machinery should not have been set in motion. I intend to do all I can to oppose this absurd proposal. The subject is one for open criticism on a friendly basis, and there is no need for spleenful observations. If the Mayor’s wishes are gratified, well and good ; I will gracefully fall into line with the majority, but not till then. Here’s the rub, hence the stir. GEO. P. de CASTRO.