RATE COLLECTING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21973, 23 December 1936, Page 13

RATE COLLECTING

to ni bd:to« or th» p*«s». Sir, —I wish to complain about the hard methods of the Christchurch City Council in collecting overdue rates; I am an old resident, and this is the second depression I have passed through. Through no fault of my own. my rates got ■ into arrears, but I have been paying as much as I could off them as opportunity offered. After I had seen the rate collector, from whom I got scant sympathy and little courtesy. a lump sum was demanded to save my being summoned and published as a defaulter. But I think the water supply committee has covered itself in glory this time. I got an account in May for 3s for excess water. Well, this week a fine-looking man came along in a car, and found me, and asked when I was going to pay it. I said, “When I pay my rates.” He said, "That is no good; it must be paid within seven days,” and handed me the type-written copy of the water supply committee’s instructions. which were to the effect that if would cost 2s 6d to turn the water on again. So as 1 did not want to be without a drink of water on Christmas Day, I have paid it. and I hope the committee derives some satisfaction from the fact that my chance of a merry Christmas has been reduced by 3s. I have had many creditors in mv time, but never one so hard as the City Council, and have never had to pay 10 per cent., which to my mind is outrageous. My rales have been a nightmare 1o me for a few years, but thank God. I expect to clear them all off earlv next year, and. be free from a very hard lot. But I wonder if the community thinks an honest trier should be treated like this.—Yours, etc., CHRISTCHURCH RORN OLD TIMER December 21, 193f>.