ILLEGAL HIGHWAY RATES.

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 482, 22 June 1875, Page 3

ILLEGAL HIGHWAY RATES.

To the Editor of fcbe,WAiKATO Times. Sir. — There is i^atl have wondered the press has noiNfcalsen up, vigr. the illegal way in which thri rates are levied in some of the districts. The Highway Act distinctly states that the rate shall be so much in the pound on the value to sell. Now they evade this by what they call a General Valuation Rate (which is no valuation at all), of so much in yalufc of -all the land in the district at the-^anfs price* Ifow, w this is a direct fraud on the poor, and also s on the absentees, as in all the districts there are many good farms whose owners are well off. The horses and drays use the roads, and there are also settlers in the same districts who do not possess a dray or a horse, and whose land is not worthy one. quarter that of the large farmer; and aiBorple\ty of^land that is worth nothing, or next to it, yet by to*e above system the owners pay as much as the owner of land worth £4 or £5 per acre. Of course, I need not tell you that the above is quite illegal, and any ratepayer can refuse to pay his rates, but the majority of ratepayers do not tronble^«aui«t $bpufc,the acts of Highway Boards, and even' th^e bQacdfe themselves do not. know if they act according to law, but do it to suit themselves. Hoping that you will be able to find room for the above. — I am, &c, Scrutator. Waipa, June 16, 1875.