BOARD OF WARDENS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 100, 8 January 1870, Page 6

BOARD OF WARDENS.

(To the JSditor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir, — I was amused with the letter bearing the signature "Equity" in your issue of the 18th ult. I wonder if that individual knows his own business as well as he does that of other people. " Some persons," he says, "are prosecuted for not paying the assessment on their cattle, others are threatened, and many are not troubled at all, although well known to the inspector." And then he asks of you, Mr. Editor, "Why this is so?" One would imagine that an individual who knows so much could answer such a question himself. To the latter part of the statement, as above made by "Equity," I am in a position to give an unqualified denial. The inspector, I am certain, only prosecutes those whom he has every reason to suspect are trying to " dodge hint," or shirk payment, and I think every sane man will admit that to be a sufficient ground for prosecution. Those whom he threatens to prosecute are those whose delay in the payment of their assessment makes it absolutely necessary to threaten ; just as every business man, in equity, is bound sooner or later to do with such customers. But the "many that are not troubled at all, although they are well known to the inspector," I believe are nil. If "Equity" will instance, either privately or publicly, one case, out of the "many" he refers to, where the inspector has not made application in some form or other for the assessment, I have no doubt the latter will compensate him for his information. " Equity " thinks, or rather he is only " beginning to think," that the Government have no more right to demand the assessment now than they had three or four years ago. I would not recommend In'm to refuse payment, otherwise, I fear, he will very soon find what he calls a "legal demand " made upon him. It would be well for those who are depasturing stock on the Tuapeka common to pay their assessment frankly. Compared with many places on the goldfields, the charge is trifling. It would be a pity to find the Government forced to adopt arbitrary means against all, simply because there are some who may require a few weeks extra time to pay their rent, — I am, &c., Mekcy.