CORRESPONDENCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5143, 24 June 1927, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

BOROUGH WORKSI (To the Editor.) Sir, —It is pleasing to note that one ratepayer at least has proffered a reply to my letter as published in your issue of Friday last, and tha.t he aptly compares my remarks therein with a bombshell, for surely the prospects of our rates increasing to an unlimited extent should cause someone or something to scatter and take notice. D. Leach, like many other ratepayers, has apparently been content to let matters slide and take their course, when perhaps an occasional attendance l at Borough Council meetings would have been of educational valueif not a profitable investment. It is not always advisable to remain impassive under imaginary impressions, or take things for granted, for there invariably comes a time when one becomes disillusioned and has only himself to blame for his remissness. Had D. Leach been sufficiently alive •to his interests in the borough and not taken things for grafted, he could have shared in the opportunities for obtaining some knowledge of the facts which I mentioned in my previous letter, because any ratepayer has the privilege of entering the Borough Chambers and requesting information on all legitimate .matters concerning the administration, etc. I suggest to Mr Leach that it is not too late for him to do this. Why should I supply the information he seeks, either direct or through the Press ? Moreover, it would be worse than useless to call a ratepayers’ or any other meeting to discuss the matter of borough rates loans, roads, etc., for, as D. Leach must know, to enter into a discussion on subjects of a controversial nature in a crowd is futile and ends only in chaos. The subject upon which I write is a. case of everyone for himself, and D. Leach and other ratepayers would do well to make some- inquiries and study their financial position before agreeing to more borough loans. I think it is universally acknowledged that the total of our present rates is sufficiently high to meet present needs under existing circumstances. J regret being compelled to substitute the nom-de-plume of “A Ratepayer” to my previous letter, but this was done to avoid being accused of seeking a cheap advertisement. However, I seek nothing of the kind, and, not wishing to conceal my identity, now have no hesitation in subscribing myself

GEO. P. de CASTRO.