Ratepayers' Convenient?

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 63, 24 February 1934, Page 8

Ratepayers' Convenient?

(To the Editor)

Sir,—it is more than twenty year* since the first suggestion was made to open an office in Hastings for the payment of county rates. The Napier pull was too strong and nothing was done. The proposal has now been revived. On looking back over a period of 50 year*, the only conclusion to be arrived at is that every concession that Hastings has ever got, had to be fought for to the last ditch. The settlers, and ratepayers are the acknowledged backbone of the country. Their convenience seems to have been a very minor consideration, and has been until recent years, when new influences have claimed a place on the Hawke’* Bay stage. We cun well remember when all the public institutions were operated from Napier, Hastings playing the part of a cypher. The tables are now being turned. Our majority rights must now be recognised. The County Council and Rivers Board rate* should from the first have been paid in Hastings on a majority basis, which similarly governs the operation of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club and Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and tho near future will see the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Board follow suit. The gospel of live, and let live, has not been followed by our marine neighbours, who now that the reaction has set in feel sore. It must, however, be remembered that after the Riverslea land sale, which is the date of the first exodus of the business people of Napier to Hastings, the latter acted up to the “open-door policy.” The result* are now to be seen and should be remembered with gratitude.—l am, etc., KA MATE. Hastings. 22/2/34.