THE ASSESSMENT ROLL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1072, 8 March 1880, Page 3

THE ASSESSMENT ROLL.

[to the editor.] Sir—Being a ratepayer, I claim a tight tb and, if ne'cessary, demand an explanation from the Borough Council with regard to aAy abts b‘r stepß taken by that body in matters affecting the residents of this town; ian'd where it is made to or dbes appear, that tfabrO are just grounds for Such complaints. It is the duty of every inember of that Council to show cause why he supported or allowed the act botoplained of to be put in force j ah'd, febould any one of them refuse such explanation, their silence will bec'Ome tevidbnce convicting them as being parties to the injustice complained of. The fibtieS of the chief officer Of the borough is as follows:—As engineer, to inspect and recommend to the Council What improvements hVe tiebessarily required ; as treasurer, to keep and lender accounts of all money’s passing through his bands; as clerk, to render ‘every information when required and Carry out thb .general instructions of the Council. For a Ibng period I have been the occupier of premises ih SeddoU Street. About four months ago I paid 25s taxes for same; at sarrie lime I informed the Town Clerk J required toy name placed upon the forthcoming Assessment and Electoral Rolls, which he promised to see done without fail; Subsequently a notice appeared in the Kvmara Times informing ratepayers that the Assessment Roll for 1880 was Compiled, aUd Open for their inspection. By some presentiment I was impressed that toy name would be wilfully left bff that roll, and-, on examining that docuto'ent found, that my convictions Were top well-founded. The Town Clerkexcused his neglect by shying he had entirely forgotten the matter, and and hpoibgised for having done so; then taking Up U pen [apparently for the purpose pf inserting toy h a toe in place Of, another name of a person theii preheat, who also requested my name to . placed in his stead) be again dropped lb, and said “ T cannot alter the Roll hoW; you will hive to apply to the Appeal Court.” I therefore gave notice, leaving a. copy Ut thb COfincil Chambers, and onq at the Court House, that I applied to have my name placed on the. Roll. On the day appointed to hear objections, being assured ho just Muse could be lodged against toy application, yet, having the Cdnyiction that some attempt would be made to keep me off the Roll, I attended; My name having been called, you may judge of my astonishment when an objection was made by the Town Clerk. On being asked the nature of the objectiofa, Mr Wylde said I Was “ not the owner of the property.” It haying been proved that I Was the bceupier, and having paid previous taxes, the Magistrate at any rate could nut see any just cause why my name should be kept from the Voters List. NoW, Sir, td whom do the Borough Council look for the taxes placed upon property in 99 cases out of a ICOI It is the occupier [not always the owner) Who pays the rates-, and who without question is entitled to vote. This being a fact, what object could Mr Wylde have in View When hfe taade this miserable attempt to keep me off the Roll ? Did the members of the Borough Council consider the nature of the objections lodged at their office of Which they received notice from persons objecting 1 It was their duty to have dime so, if they did not. Did they instruct their officer to pilt forward this miserable, unreasonable, and frivolous excuse 1 I shall demand an Explanation of this wilful attempt to disfranchise me on this occasion at the next meeting of the Borough Council. I have no hesitation in sayings and subsequent events will prove it, that it is hot with the authority aud sanction of the Council he was attempted to do this : but by his own premeditation to gain an object in which he has been and will again be frustrated.—l am, &c.. Geo. Simmons. Kumara, 6th March, 1880.