CHARITABLE AID. Wellington, Sept. 20.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 301, 22 September 1888, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID. Wellington, Sept. 20.

CiiAiiiTAr.LK aid matters in the Wellington district have drifted into a somewhat peculiar position. None of the up-country Councils in the district ha\e paid their contributions for several months pa&t, and they decline f o levy a rate for tho purpose, by way of protesting against the existing system, which, they contend, enableb city institutions to be maintained extra\agantly at the expense of country districts. They therefore state that in order to foice their protest on the notice of Parliament they will leave to the Property Tax Commissioner the duty of levying l-ates according to the special alternative provision made in the Act. The United District Board had passed a resolution directing that proceedings be taken to compel payment by defaulting bodies, bub the country members, being in the majority, mustered strongly at the next meeting, and rescinded the resolution, so that for the present nothing can be done. Meanwhile the Wellington Benevolent Institution has exhausted its funds and overdrawn its- amount by £( 00, and its banker declines to permit any further advances. A deputation from trustees waited on tho Premier ye-tei day afternoon, but he was unable to help them out of the difficulty beyond promising to make an advance if he finds he can legally do bo in anticipation of tho levies on country districts by the Properly Ta.\ Commissioner.