CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3044, 5 June 1926, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To The Editor). Sir, —I noticed in a recent issue of your paper, correspondence dealing with the erection of a new Town Hall, and I will endeavour to base my remarks on the letter appearing over the signature of T. W. Hunt. In his letter he draws a comparison between the rates of Wellington as against the rates of Eoxton. To draw a comparison between the city of Wellington as against Foxton is very unfair to say the least of it, one a city of thousands, in which to spread the rates over, as against a town of hundreds only, to bear the burden. Wiliy, if his comparison is a fair argument, does he not tell how he

was going to increase the expenditure on the new Town Hall by £7OO above the lowest tender, thereby further increasing the rates, his own included. He also omits to tell us how he arrives at financial aspect of the question, as it concerns the Town Hall account. He also omits to tell us his authority for rating us, without the consent of the Council. He also omits to tell us that he required an extension of time had he been successful, such extension would have deprived the Town Hall of the ’Xmas trade, worth £IOO per week. As to his acres lying idle, if it pays to let them lay idle that is his business, but on the other hand he could go to the right quarter, to obtain finance to build houses on those acres that would be a means of easing the burden of his rates, and good houses are badly needed in Foxton. His attempt to cause dissension among the ratepayers by the bogey of rates was too transparent. But, at the same time, I don’t.think the wise people of Foxton, those who want- to see the town in which they have their interests, and living prosper, are going to be blinded by that parrot cry of increased rates. I can safely predict that when the financial aspect of the earnings of the Town Hall are put before the people that T. W. Hunt’s cry of further rates will receive a sfieneer, well merited 1 too, forFoxton has made good: water, drainage, electricity, and street loans, so I have no fear that when the time comes, the loan will be earned by such a majority that will show the poor diehards, and opponents to municipal enterprise that we shall not now go back to the old rut any more. To the people I say: place your fail'll in the Council you have elected to conduct your business as becomes a town and back their efforts to give you those facilities that a town requires. Never mind the wailings of a mere few. Use your own judgment apart from what I write, and see to it that when the day arrives you will answer the opposition by deciding to have an up-to-date hall that will be a credit to the town, as well as a revenue producer, as the previous hall was. Yours etc., PROGRESS.