WEST RIDING ELECTION

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 82, 20 November 1911, Page 7

WEST RIDING ELECTION

(To the Editor “Stratford Post.”) Sir, —I hope that my friend Mr G. A. Marchant is not labouring under a delusion and thinking that he has laid mo low with his rirst shot. 1 do not care to lire out of my turn, and so was just waiting a while to let Mr Astbury have a pop at me too, if he wished," before answering. 1 had my old “blunder buss ready primed with buck-shot, hoping to gcrtiie two together and so save ammunition. But Mr Astbury is keeping under cover. 1 still maintain that there is not a section of land in the riding but what aad its unimproved value increased when last valued. Certainly a few owners did get a very slight reduction on the new valuation a little later on, jach by Ids or her own individual efort. As for keen judges of land /alue—well, I will just mention one ease which came under my notice: A section with from £6OO to £7OO worth >f improvements thereon, was on the market for several months, and the price asked for it was £1 per acre less man the unimproved value put on it >y the valuator; but it failed to find i purchaser. But 1 had better leave -his subject or I shall have “one of die strongest men” on my trail. Re .lie stuff taken from Manaia Road: It ,'ould be superfluous for me to champion Mr Anderson, and he would not fliank me for doing so, for there is mt a man in the riding more able to ight his own battles than he is; but i will just mention the fact that 1 nippen to know of two foremen and dx contractors (and the latter are not ,ver particular) who condemned it as mlit to put on a county road. They all paid royalty to a settlor rather Jian do so."A private road or path is another thing. Mr Marchant is making a guess at my identity, but al.hough he is far-sighted and keenicented he is probably “barking up the wrong tree.” As for being proud -of ‘ my number of votes, it is only through excessive valuation that I have them ; but they did real good public service at the recent poll. Ido not say that Mr Marchant and his colleague have done nothing good for the ratethave done nothing good for the ratement as that oven against the Ward Government. As to my own particular grievance, it is one amongst the many that 1 did not mention. The condition of roads, those nearest to “London” and those in centre of riding are in good condition ; but what about those at the western end? Re foreman and ranger, an occasional shakingup will serve to keep them awake. As to the financial position of the riding, it would bo an eye-opener to the ratepayers if the present position were compared with what it was about five years ago, and made known. Apologising for length of this and trusting not to trouble you further, also thanking you in anticipation, 1 am, etc THREE VOTES. Mahoe, Nov. 17th, 1911.