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Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1028, 25 January 1879, Page 2

Sir,— Having, with the exception of a few months, been Chairman of the Newcastle District Board for the lasfc ten years, I am in a position to contradict, most positively, the impudent and unfounded assertion of Councillor Steele, that " the Newcastle District had always struck low

rates, and valued their property low, too." (Waikato Times, 18th Jan. 1879). For the year cuding

This shews that, with the exception of 1873 and 1874, the rate haß been high, and, for the last five jffcars, as high as the law allowed. For theT_-tist--fa- years, there was "an acreage rate. In 1875, 1876 and 1877, the valuation was made by the Board, and, as no land in the district has been sold at as high a price as that set on it by the Board, it is pretty evident they did not make a low valuation. For tho last two years, the valuation has been made by paid valuers, and neither tho Board nor the Ratepayers have had anything to do with it, but ifc certainly has not been low. I beleive that the average, rate levied in the Newcastle District, during the lasfc eleven years, has been as high aa that levied in any other district in the County, and some better excuse must ba found for attempting to defraud the district of its fair share of assistance from the County Council. The Ratepayers of the Newcastle District have always shewn themselves willing " to help themselves," but not by traducing others, after the fashion of Councillor Steele.— I am, &c, Thomas Wilson. Te Koao, 21st January, 1879.

tJlst Dec., 1868, the rate was 3d per aero 1869 „ 2d „ 1870 „ 2d June 30, 1872 „ 2d 18 73 „ Id 1874 „ id „ » 1875 „ Id in £ on value to sell 18 7« » Id „ 1877 „ Id " »» 1878 „ Is in il ou annual value 1879 „ i 8 „