PUBLICITY AND AMUSEMENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 245, 7 June 1932, Page 7

PUBLICITY AND AMUSEMENT

3ROBERT

KIRK.

ROBERT

KIRK.

ROBERT

KIRK.

Sir, — I felt honopred and gratified to see in the "Post" that I had been the means of creating laqghter and giving amusement to our noble Mayor and worthy couneillors of Rotorua. It must have been a wejcome change from the usual deadly apathy of their meetings, perhaps the frosty weather might have had something to do in stimulating their enjoyment and merry making as this is good for everybody at times, even though it is at the expense pf the poor rgtepayers. I am asking the favpur pf publication of the two enelosed letters from which the ratepayers will he able to judge of the position, Thanking you in anticipation. — I am, etc.

.tcotorua, May 10, 1932. To the Mayor and Couneillors of the Borough of Rotorua, Gentlemen, — I am in receipt of your astonishing request that I and my fellow ratepayers should contribute towards the cost of bitumenising Whakaue Street, as per the Jhwn Clerk's letter of the 9th inst. "You seem to forget that as honourable and just representatives, it is your duty to preserve ratepayers from a grievous nuisance, as wifhin the time this town has been a h°i'ough the five ratepayers of Whakaue Street have contributed about £500 in rates, and . very- little of this amount has been expended on this road, and now we pay annually about £70, yet in the face of these facts you now ask us to contribute what amounts to a double rate to improve a road which should have been done long ago. "In the past you have used the rates paid by us for the improvement of other parts of the town without calling upon those, who received so great a benefit, for private contribu-' tions toward the cost. I refer to Fenton, Arawa, Hinemoa and Tutanekai, etc., Streets, and Whaka Road. "In view of this position I must emphatically decline to contribute anything towards what is nothing more or less than an extortionate request, and further I have Mr. Wilson's authority, given in the presence of Mr. Falloona, to withdraw his offer of £30 to improve Whakaue Street, as he never intended his offer to act as a lever for inducing your council to make such a request to his fellow ratepayers, as he, like the other four ratepayers, thinks it is a matter of justice for your honourable body to cary out this necessary work by means of the rates you have been receiving for years, without requiring special contribptions. "Trusting as a matter of equity you will give our proposal your must favourable consideration, and finisb the work you hqve commeneed. — I am. eentlemen, Yours faithfully,

Rotorua, May 15, 1932. The Town Clerlc, "Dear Sir, — I am afrald youi council, for its own purpose, overlooked the main theme of my letter of the 10th inst., which was an appeal to the council to deal justly and equitably with the five ratepayers of Whakaue Street as detailed in the said letter. "Mr. Wilson's attitude, who felt very strongly about the stand taken by the council with respeet to his intention in making the offer of £30, was, I take it, a stimulus to urge your council to act on the lines of fair dealing. "The introduction of Mr. Wilson's offer into my letter was subordinate to the main theme. "Will the council, in fairness to our purpose, publish the whole of my letter in the 'Rotorua Morning Post?' I trust thev will. — Yours faithfully.