OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1943, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

ABBOTSFORD LIME PIT (To the Editor.) Sir, —In your paper of May 12, I read with considerable interest the reported discussion by the Masterton County Council of the meeting of ratepayers held at Langdale on April 20. As one of the ratepayers who attended the meeting. I am amazed at the allegations made by Councillor Moore against the chairman and other members of the council and also against the County Clerk. Councillor Moore complained of biased criticism and also said that certain information given by the chairman was misleading, and he inferred or implied that certain criticisms by the county chairman were not fair. In my opinion, to say that the county chairman in his address gave biased views or misleading statements is nothing more or less than pure humbug. Councillor Moore is reported to have said that the County Clerk’s figures were biased “to say the least.” May I point out that at Councillor Moore’s request, the Clerk gave figures relating to the costs to individual ratepayers if the project were financed from rates over the riding and also regarding existing cartage costs, including the cartage costs from several sources of supply. These figures proved to me that if the cost of producing lime at Abbotsford, when established, were the same as at Weraiti, viz., Ils 6d per ton, I could obtain, under exsiting transport charges from Weraiti (now operating), and for the amount of rates I would pay for the Abbotsford proposal, my requirements for many years. It is difficult to believe ihat the Clerk gave the chairman or ratepayers unfair figures to be used at Langdale or elsewhere. ... I am confident that Mr H. Morrison, chairman of the meeting, or any other ratepayer of Uriti Riding present at the time, would not support Councillor Moore’s statement. I suggest that the county chairman publish his report which he read to the .ratepayers at Langdale and also the Clerk's figures, which he quoted, thus giving Councillor Moore an opportunity to reply .and this will enable the ratepayers and others to decide for themselves where the bias lies. I thought that all members of the council were responsible for the conduct of the affairs of every riding in the county and not, as suggested by one member, that the riding councillor should have full control. Finally, the meeting at Langdale was convened by the Masterton County Council, and, in no way questioning the impartiality of the chairman, MrMorrison, it would appear to many present on that occasion, that the county, chairman, Mr R. G. Lee, should have addressed the meeting first, before any discussion arose. The ratepayers were present at the express invitation of the council to hear everything about tfie proposal. Thanking you for your space.—l am, etc., CHAS. S. HAY. Masterton, May 19.