Ashhurst Loan.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7919, 27 September 1904, Page 6

Ashhurst Loan.

ITo the Editor)

Sib,—l notice in your Ashhurst notes that a poll will be taken on Wednesday for a loan of jG0,450 to be spent in the Ashhurst and Hiwinui Ridings. Your Ashhurst correspondent has placed the case in a fair and clear manner before the public, and the Councillors for the Ridings have done their duty in bringing the loan to a poll, but it is for us as ratepayers to finally decide the matter on Wednesday. Ratepayers' meetings have been held, the schedule of works altered where demanded, and then adopted, so there is practically no opposition to the loan on that score. Now, Sir, as a .ratepayer I object to several works that are to be done—no doubt someone will say why didnt yoti attend the meetings and object, so I would have done but I was away at the time—but anyway, in the interest of the district, I would be prepared to drop my objection to individual works were I not in opposition to the loan altogether. I will tell you why lam voting against the loan. The Seddon Government has got no money and don't know where to get any ; we shall shortly, have anew Government in power which will .be as bad,' if not worse.off for money ; the Oroua County Council have had to raise our rates to get sufficient to pay their way, as they can't get any more overdraft.than the big one left to them by the Manchester Road Board ; and the dairying doesn't look too promising; the present high prices for stock can't last for ever ; and tho question is can we stand another rate? "Now, that is what we have to decide on Wednesday; if, we don't vote for it the Council won't put the special rate on us. However, it has to be carried by a three-fifths majority, and if that number of my fellow ratepayers consider the time is ripe for it, well, I suppose 1 will pay my share, with the others.—l-am, &c,

Faemee.