Marton Borough Affairs.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8832, 7 June 1907, Page 3

Marton Borough Affairs.

Sir, —I have road tho Mayor’s teply to my letter in connection with the 'inclusion of the Junction Station and other properties within the present Borough of Maxton, aud was not surprised to learn from him tiiat my manner of writing was not courteous. The Doctor aud myself differ in one or two essential points. Ho considers himself a financier, I don’t. In his first address on taking office after the last election he tried to throw the responsibility of what he considers extravagance on Mr Sicely’s term of office, yot the Doctor actually in doing so condemned his own previous mismanagement aud lack of ability to bold the position of Mayor. In bis reply to my letter he has ag aiu trespassed on good taste by repeating the same charges. Tho lato Mayor did not leave such a big legacy of debt and increased rates as the Doctor did on leaving office, all created by himself. In bis letter the Doctor says that I draw attention “to the position of those outside the Borough boundaries who wish to enjoy the privileges of the Borough without contributing to tho rates. ’ ’ Of course I never wrote or suggested anything of the kind. While tho owners of properties intended to he included within tho present Borough are willing to join the Borough, tiioy have not yet asked for the privilege, aud will certainly not do so under the present Mayor’s proposals. He gives a lot of figures which for outsiders are meaningless, but to me as a present Borough ratepayer, condemn his proposals, but let me ask him if he aud Iris Council can legally deduct from the special rates levied for special loan purposes, aud use tho money so derived for general rate purposes? I question their right to do so. I assume that the owners of property at tho Junction are prepared to pay for gas and water laid on, so that they ask no favour in these requests. In my last letter I stated that I understood a County rate of Id in tho £ was equal to Is 7d of Borough rates. I now find that I was mistaken, as tho County rate is equal to Is 4d in tho Borough. Tho Doctor speaks of probable reduction of Borough rates, in wiiich ho suggests the now outlying country would participate. The same promise was made on the Town Hall and other loans, hut the rate still remains. The fact is that iu my opinion the present Mayor is a plunger on other people’s money aud that he has not tho business capability to w r ork his fads to a successful issue. His present term of office and their results are not favorable, aud no amount ot smiles will cover his losses to Marton. Your readers will note that iu my previous letter the Mayor’s name was not mentioned or referred to, and that no reflections were cast on anyone. It was written in the interests of the owners of property intended to he included within the Borough, and the true position placed before them. The Mayor’s reply does not controvert those facts. —I am, etc., " ■ J. HARRIS. T