RATEPAYER CONVERTED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 175, 25 June 1926, Page 9

RATEPAYER CONVERTED.

Per Press Association*

INVERCARGILL, June 24. ' Since the introduction of the Southland Power Board levies many property owners have at first resented the imposition of a rate to make up the deficiency on what many are ever ready to term a luxury, but ultimately, having cogitated further and experienced the benefits of electricity in the home and on the farm, they have altered tlieiri opinions, and eventually contributed their share of the rate without further comment. Several instances of this have been reported recently, but in none of the letters written by irate ratepayers has so much humour and originality been displayed as in the letter recently written to the clerk of the Southland Countv Council by a ratepayer in the eastern district of Southland. The letter states: —

“Your note re rates jduly came to hand, thanks. I had fully made up my mind to allow you to collect this rate through the Courts if it is a valid rate, but the action of your council in voting £IOOO of Southland ratepayers’ jponey towards liquidating the Southland court debts (Dunedin, Exhibition) has converted me —convinced me, indeed—that. Bolshevism of pure Russian type has taken deep root in this country, and with compulsory meat control hoards, ditto dairy control boards, compulsory power boards, and compulsory peep show and gambling alleys, power hoards are merely window dressing, and for nio to attempt to check the advance ’Of this hydro-headed monster would he sheer madness. You win. I fling my cards on the table.- Please find your pound of flesh enclosed: With kind regards.”