Advance, Papakura!

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 311, 18 September 1917, Page 3

Advance, Papakura!

| To 15H« Barron] Sir,—We have heard so much lately of the so-called Papakura Ratepayers' Association that 1 think ..the time has come to ascertain who they are and what section of the community they represent In the first place they do not give themselves the right title, the correct one being the Papakura Ratepayers' and Householders' Association. This gives the householder the same right to discuss the interests of the ratepayers as the ratepayers themselves. Again, by their rules they are pledged to assist the Board in beautifying the township and keeping it in a sanitary condition besides doing aU in their power to assist the Board in forwarding the progress of

Papakura. I leave it to the public to decide how their pledges have been kept. A very good suggestion by " Friend " which ought to have met with their approval met instead with the usual abase. A letter later signed •' Ratepayer," stating what all wishers for progress know to be true and written in plain straightforward language—l wish we had more of the same sort in Papakura—met the same fa'e as the former letter. Now, Bir, as a ratepayer on the side of progress I maintain the public have a right to demand the views of the Papakura Ratepayeis' and Householders' Association with regard to the removal of the sale yards. If they are not prepared to assist the Board I suggest that the Association should cease to exist since they are of no further use but only a hindrance and a block to pro gross. I am writing this to let the readers of your paper know that a large nunber of independent and progressive ratepayers in favour of the present capable Board object to be made rediculous by a few obstructionists who desire to stop the progress of Papakura.—l am, etc., - "PROPERTY OWNER " +. [To THE EmTOB] Sir—ln replying to my letter of the 9th inst Mr Wallis appeals to have slipped into the same old grove, viz, "A little more mud." It if, I believe, an old saying among lawyers "If you have a bad case abuse the other side." However, abuse is no argument and -if Mr Wallis and his party of Ancients will let the people know where, in their opinion, the present Board have failed in their duty as public men we may get down to business. My advice to them is don't get nasty and don't get personal, but give some fair criticism of a public body's public actions. This will be healthy and in my opinion will tend to .bring about a bet er feeling among the (at present) rival factions. But they must not be surprised if they get a Roland for their Oliver. We are all faulty, but some are more to than others and to my way of thinking the Progressives can more than hold their own.—Tours etc RATEPAYER Papakura, Sept. 15th, 1917.