AGAIN—THAT WATER RATE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 28, 30 May 1912, Page 5

AGAIN—THAT WATER RATE.

(To tho Editor “Stratford Post.”)

Sir, —Whilst I am quite prepared to concede to “Nemo No. 2.” that ho possesses all the intelligence lie ai legates to himself. 1 have yet to learn that abuse is argument. When he attempts to bo lucid in his remarks he seems to sink deeper into the mire. From Cr. King’s reference and figures he. first fell back on the £4OO loan, now he wanders into the days r.f Kip van Winkle, treats on the £BOOO loan, and then off to 1903. He can go back to the time of Mothusala, yet it will be impossible for him to get away from the fact that money raised for a special purpose must be expended in accordance with law, and if it was agreed to strike a special rate for water loans, and the money so raised exceeds tho amount, necessary to cover interest, and is then misappropriated to general account, it is quite proper that the Mayor should move to virtually reduce the rate sufficient only to cover the amount necessary to pay interest. Appropriating revenue from water account to general account docs n«t benefit those who have to pay for conveniences which others have and they are without. The fact that my figures taken from tho balance-sheet “simply show how the money was .spent,” (which it was intended they should do), amused “Nemo No 2,” proves, conclusively to me that he is past redemption so far as finance is concerned. Perhaps Ike is so accustomed to have his figures “twisted” and distorted when put before him, that it comes somewhat as a revelation to him when tho truth is put before him.—l am Etc. NEMO. THE WATER RATE. (To the Editor “Stratford Post.”) Sir, —Your correspondent is very flattering to himself in signing .his effusion “Common Sense.” Let ns see how much of the latter ho really possesses. It is fair and legitimate to expect that every newspaper correspondent should know something of the matter on which ho undertakes lo write, but your correspondent is superficial both in his figures and statements. To start with ihe says that I maintain that tho interst on the £BOOO should lie paid by a special rate, while the interest on the last loan of £4OOO should be paid out of the water rate. I did not advocate anything of the kind in my letter as I am aware that when the last loan of £IOOO was raised the people wore tojd that no special rate would he collected : they were told this so as to get tho loan through. I believe that every loan should provide interest by way of a special rate, hut as the people were given the promise that no special rate would lie collected on the last water loan, 1 do not think faith should ho broken with them. As to the Mayor’s casting vote, my statement of the position still holds good, notwithstanding the very laboured altompt of your correspondent to put a different complexion on the position. The latter paid of “Oommoa Sense’s” letter is a very old method of attempting to damn with faint praise, and 1 am fairly sure that your correspondent is an opponent of the Mayor and not a supporter. “Common Sense” should adopt some otlu r non lie plume, so as not to he. misleading. The fact must not ho lost sight of that the Mayor docs not contend that no water rate should he collected hereafter, but only that nothing more should bo collected for the coming year other than to pay interest on the last water loan. With close on £IOOO in credit, is it common seme to collect more rates to further increase this large credit balance? What say yon, “Common Sense”?—l am, etc..