To the Editor op the 'Evening Mail.'

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 240, 9 October 1874, Page 2

To the Editor op the ' Evening Mail.'

Sir, — A correspondent of the Colonist signing himself "Ratepayer" wishes to know why the Central Board do not make public a report furnished by certain commissioners ; on! > the -. subject of the collection of the Education Rate. The reason must be patent. The Central Board have not got the reporf, nor was the report ever made or intended to be made to them. The Deputy _ Superintendent appointed • Several; g^ntflemen to inquire fnto the matter alluded to above, and they duly reported. The collector, it must be borne in mind, is a servaot of the Provincial Government holding office under tho appointment of the Superintendent. Upon the receipt of tho report the Provincial Government took such action as seemed to ihem advisable for improving. the method, of collection, and for that action the Central Board have thanked them. The report then is one made to the Provincial Government to do what they think proper with— at most, the Central Board could only be '< supplied with a copy (as of course the Government would not part with an original document) but they' have not *got (and; apparently? do hot want even tWt. The correspondent of the Colonist should then address himself 'to' the Government, with whom he is no doubt on good terms, and if there appears any suspicion of their having acted unwisely in their treatment of the subject, let him persuade them to publish the report, but the public generally are, I believe, satisfied that the Government has acted with humanity and discretion, and that the publication of the commissioners' report would only serve to gratify personal malice or prurient curiosity, and the Reform League are too intelligent and respectable to lend themselves to anything of that sort, notwithstanding ., "Ratepayer's", ingenious attempt to " egg 1 them -on." ; '. : : .. Yours, &c.; : Another Ratepayer.