TOWN RATES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 771, 18 May 1881, Page 2

TOWN RATES.

[To the Editor of the Dito.]. Sir,-r-yonr gorrespondent "A.8.". in his last letter about town rates appears anxious to deal seriously with a subject of whioh he has only a superficial knowledge. '''/"" '"''" '"

In the first plan he complains that the. present mode ot rating and 'collecting is "notvery courteous"to|he inhabitants of Masterfoij. Npy,l ff Aiß,'* to compare the present plan of getting in the Borough, rates.wjth that adopted by the Property Tax Department, or that by whjcl} % local'rabbit rates'are collected.'

Probably "A.8," does not know the present rate-collector for this Borough, who might, if he chose, decline to receivp rates except at stated hours, And further he might by virtue of the "Rating Act 1876 " take legal proceedings against defaluters, immediately the rates are fourteen days overdue. But instead of being an unpleasant person, our preeerifc ratecollector is well-known as a most courteous man. ais pffioe is always open.,; He is willing to oblige' .-every ope, and evidently unwilling to take harsh measures., j. In the seoond place" Aiß." points ou the annoyance he receives from living jn.a street whore thistles grow, where battle stray, and dogs bark.'; 'Now,/if ; "A.B." were a wise man he would, remove from that street. By so doih'g he might regainhis peace of mind, a thing which he can never do by showering abuse on senseless things, or on public bodies. •In the .third place " A.8.." is wrong in supposing that the place where the river has broken oyer tlje goad is-'witljin'the province of the Town Council.' It is outside the B,offlugl), as ! defined'in the'■ New: Zealand (japette dated J2th July, 1877. Probably «'A.B." th^s#Council should spend more .money on streets and roads, But let him study the''yearly balance sheets of the Borough.- During the year ending 31st Maroh, 1881, about two thirds of the entire revenue of the Borough ,was sper\fc in ; various town, improvements. Even .the l most ! -,obscure streets haye had. a fair share of attention. It seems «liQp9t\^or/?j^ibl^--£^^ ;^§trer .ci»i l be a 'sireet,..<sf. '9riy^ i imp.ortaijce",Vat^§ll' further, jit [seenos a i Masterton should be.sosdddenly/awakeitp.' the interests;ofi the"-ratepayersji-.and;,yet apparently so ignorant of thei'flnahcjal? position of the Borough 'as toi auppbae .that demands on its funds can be satisfied onaUhaada'atonce, | v"'.■;/;'/