Correspondence.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 22210, 8 March 1900, Page 2

Correspondence.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents. TO THE EDITOR. Sin,.—Will you allow the space in your valuable paper so as I may express a few remarks concerning myself and a large number of ratepayers, as to how we are very unfairly double taxed by being called to pay a road rate and a county rate in the same district, namely, to the Piako County and the Waitoa Road Board—such an injustice is hot known in other parts, of the colony.. For instance, the ratepayers in the Waitoa Road Board District are called upon to pay a road rate and also a county rate of a similar amount to the Piako County, whi his more fortunate neighbour on the other side of the fence is only called upon to pay a county rate, while he enjoys the privilege of using the roads in the Road Board district that are made and kept in order by lxis more unfortunate ratepayers, adjoining him, of which,. I consider, is entirely unjust. Now, sir, it is my opinion that one of those institutions should be abolished; I would give preference to the county rate being in-force and let that institution govern all our roads in the Piako. County—by so doing the expense of making and repairing the public roads would be more evenly divided amongst the ratepayers, and we would only have one institution to maintain, which would be a great saving and more satisfactory to the ratepayers generally. I hope ratepayers will immediately move iu this matter and abolish this system of our portion of the ratepayers being called upon to make, and keep in, repair,, public roads for the- use of his more fortunate neighbour. I also consider that any ratepayer qualified to represent the ratepayers in the district in which he lives iu should do so free of charge ; and I am convinced there will be plenty qualified men to come for--ward to represent uh on. those conditions.—l am, etc., R. Stark; Walton. (To lha Editor). Sin, —I notice in your last issue that a young girl ol tender years mysteriously disappeared from our midst over a ween ago, and has not been heard of since. Surely in a place like Te Arohn this should not he the case. If the present police force is not able to cope with the wants of the district. I would sugg st an additional constable be appointed. I must say the way the lads.roam, about our streets aud in the Domain, pass ng insulting remarks to passers-by, etc, is really getting unbearable. —-I am, e c., ORDEa.