COMPARISON OF RATES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 46, 22 February 1913, Page 3

COMPARISON OF RATES.

(To the Editor “Stratford Post.”) Sir, —My object in commencing this discussion was to place before the I ratepayers information which should Ibe useful to them. The result is that | the following facts have been clearly shown: —(l). That Stratford pays higher rates per £ of capital value of rateable property than Eltham, Hawera, New Plymouth, Dannevirke, or Feilding. (2). That Stratford pays less rates per head of ratepayers and less rates per acre than any of the boroughs mentioned in the discussion. Which argument carries most weight must now rest with the ratepayers, who will also bear in mind that the adoption of the loan must result in an increase of rates of at least 70 per i cent. This latter the Mayor admits in his last letter. Mr Kirkwood says I am wrong in my statement that | with the increase of capital value of j the borough the rates have also in- ’ creased. This is a minor argument, and one which I am quite content to leave to the judgment of those who have paid;rates for the past three years, during which time the revaluation was made. In conclusion, I should like to thank Mr Kirkwood for the courtesy which has been maintained during the discussion. —Yours faithfully, J. 11. RICHARDS. February 21, 1913.