TOWN BOARD FOR TE KUITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 19, 1 March 1907, Page 3

TOWN BOARD FOR TE KUITI.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In a recent issue of your paper I noticed a reference to the formation of a Town Board for Te Kuiti, and would like to say a word in connection therewith. The state of the township, with regard to tenure, has already been alluded to, arid it has been pointed out that a great deal of money will require to be expended on the township in the matter of road making and drainage, and later on, lighting, water supply, and all the other necessaries of a modern and progressive community. According to the conditions under which the township lands are taken up, this will all have to be done by the unfortunate residents, as no provision is made for any portion of the ground rent to go to wards doing initial work. Considering that many of the roads are surveyed through swamps, and will require a lot of expenditure to form them, this seems a ridiculous situation. The lessee pays rent, builds houses, and improves the sections in other ways, and afterwards has to be rated heavily in order to get decent access to his house. At the end of 21 years his section is revalued, and he has to pay more rent for improving his place. I contend that such a state of affairs is iniquitous beyond description, and if a Town Board is formed, it should be with the object of securing an alteration in the tenure. A small rate should be struck, and the proceeds devoted to appealing to the Government to either take over the whole township area, or allow the owners to sell the freehold. Trusting the matter will be taken up and represented by abler pens than mine.—l am, etc., WOULD-BE RATEPAYER.