“A Ratepayer” and the County Chairman.

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 14, 15 November 1904, Page 2

“A Ratepayer” and the County Chairman.

TO TICK EDITOR. Boar Sir,. —I sec by your issue of the Ist November that “A Ratepayer ” has again attempted to “air his eloquence,” and I should judge by the jitt«4ct |ct sarcasm that I must have hurt his tclktlr feelings by my letter of 181 b October.

“A Ratepayer” says that I “demolished with a triumphant air his estimates based on figures given by councillors two elections ago.” Just think, Mr. Editor, that “ A Ratepayer ” had to go hack into the dark ages of the past- two elections ago—to get his estimates, and then, as he admits himself, he was told by some fellow who was at a County Election meeting. There is no wonder that, he felt demolished, " A Ratepayer ” surely must have known that the balance-sheets and books of the County are open to all ratepayers at any reasonable horns. But

“A Ratepayer” prefers to believe any wild statement he may ehance to hear to taking the trouble to find out facts for himself. Possibly it suits bis purpose to do so. He also says that I could not see “ that blame was attachable to somebodv when ratepayers had to rely on antediluvian figures--darkness indeed,” Mr. Editor, I think you will agree with me that the darkness is very great for poor “ Ratepayer.” The plague of darkness that passed, over Egypt is nothing to tins. Just fancy “A Ratepayer being able to remember wlml, he heard five years ago and bringing it. up now to have a quiet tittle dig at the Council. “ A Ratepayer” also says “ with a fivefarthing rate and fields swarming with diggers the ratepayers are losing hundreds of pounds.” I would remind, him that my estimates Were based on a penny rate, the book for the five-farthing rate not having been audited yqt. The fivefarthing rate was only struck last year. As for the County losing hundreds of pounds, I should like to ask him where he got his information from. Did he get. it from the man he met two elections ago ? or is it another invention of his fertile brain ? or is he merely fishing for information? As for his remarks about employing three men on my farm, it is just , what I do. If I want a carpenter I get one for a few weeks—l could not afford to pay him for the w hole year when I have only a few weeks’ work for him to do. If I have blacksmith’s work to do I employ a blacksmith the same way, and so on. He also says “ imagine the ranger being unable to deal with broken culverts and the inspector unable to deal with unlicensed dogs and diggers.” lam afraid it is only an imagination of “A Ratepayer." I amquite surel donotimagiue anything of the kind, and I do not think anyone but a fool would. He also says “ the Chairman informs us there is no one in the County fit .to fill the above positions.” Now r , Mr. Ilateyayer, you are indulging in imagination again. What I did say was that I did not know of anyone in the County. There may be men who are capable of filling the position for all I know. It is very amusing to read his remarks about the clerk’s probable ability to guide the Council. I beg to inform him that the members of the Council are elected by the ratepayers of the County, and if the ratepayers have not the sense to return men that are capable of running a small concern like the Council, then the ratepayers are to blame, with “A Ratepayer” included. As to his remarks about Mr. Powell, I will point out that Mr. Powell was returned at the last election without opposition. And, knowing Mr. Powell as I do, I would advise “ A Ratepayer ” not to rub his hair the wrong way or he might find to his sorrow that there is nothing weak-kneed about Councillor Powell; and as for standing to his gnns, why did not “ A Ratepayer ” stand to his ris when be produced his estimates, if had to p i hack two elections to get them ? I do admire a man who sticks to whathesa-’s, but the man who bolts at the first shot from the enemy I have no time for. Hoping, Mr. Editor, that I have not intruded too much on your valuable space, I am, etc., G. WILKINSON, County Chairman. Oram, 7th November, 1904.