ASSESSMENT APPEALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 314, 22 December 1862, Page 5

ASSESSMENT APPEALS.

(To the Editor of the Daily Times.)

Sir, —Being one among many others who attended on Saturday to appeal against au iniquitous and unjustifiable assessment, I of course anticipated meeting a full and impartial tribunal. Judge of xny astonishment when, instead oi meeting twelve honorable gentlemen in conclave, the powers were deputed to four, viz.—Duncan, Milne, Kedmoynej and M'Leod. Certainly the amount of talent and discrimination displayed by the above four, in dismissing appeals without questioning, was worthy of all praise. Those of the Otagoaians who have rusticated here from three to thirteen years must allow that the above gentlemen, are indeed distinguished members, and an honor totheseveral wards which placed them in office; at the same time I would recommend, when the next meeting for hearing appeals is summoned, a greater sprinkling of the members would be desirable. In the multitude of councillors there is wisdom. A Ratepayer.

(To the Editor of the Otago Daily Times.) Sic,—Having just returned from a tour in the province, I liad no opportunity of seeing your paper of the Bth instant, till to-day, when I read a most uncalled tor and unjust letter from a debtor in the gaol, animadverting iv rather strong language upon the treatment experienced by the debtors, from all the officials, from the highest to the lowesc. Now, Sir, knowing several unfortunate debtors who have been incarcerated in that place, I have taken the trouble to to enquire respecting their treatment from the officers,- and thty one and all speak in the most unqualified ternas of approbation. But without discussing the opprobrious epithets applied by the writer of the uncalled-for letter, I must in justice state that all the officers are always on duty by day, and often by night. The principal officers are supposed to possess the education of gentlemen and the cunning of a detective constable. They are expected to display in their personal demeanor the meekness of a quaker and the philanthropy of a Howard. They must at all times behave as if their personal safety was never in the slightest degree compromised, although ! the hazards concurrent with the ordinary perfomance of their duty are well known, ■ Being so perfectly under observation, the strictest propsiety of life is demanded from these officials; while their whole time is expended in the public service to an extent precluding nearly all social relaxution, because the freedom of the evening, Saturday afternoon and Sabbath day's repose, which officers of , other departments so fully enjoy, cannot be accorded to them. The life of an officer iv the gaol is but one long; inglorious battle in which the conflict never ceases, or dangers diminish j and: as for perspnal-re-y pute, why by the unreasoning of the public, the best of men may beconaethe sport :of the very worst, and a faithful public servant; may find himself equally used and abused^ of the duties to be performed, I need say; but little, for everybody must be awaretof tfte^ponflibulty}

the Safe custody and discipline'of a'large body of taeri, arn'bui!; whom are' U» be found- desperaHoes ,and ruffians, whose lawless" ai.d desperate character has been but'too often brought into public notice. To meafion the increasing vigilance, t«ct ; and carefulness required, is but to enumerate a very few of the charactertislics which are looked for iv either an officer or warden of the gaol. I beg to enclose my card. VERITAS. Dunedin, December 19th, 1862. ■