MANGAKAHIA RIDING RATE.

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1929, Page 3

MANGAKAHIA RIDING RATE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —As Mr Dysart’s letter published in a recent issue of your paper refers to me in the capacity of exCouncilkn- for the Mangakahia Riding, and expresses appreciation of Iny efforts, I think it only fair that I should reply to the attack on my successor, Councillor Blake. At the April mooting- of the council, it w r as necessary to “give notice," to strike the general rates in the several ridings. At that time I was of the opinion that I could, for certain, reasons ’ which I outlined, safely reduce the rate in the Mangakahia Riding by id in the £ (making a reduction from Hd in the £ to 2id in the £). Between the- April mooting and the May (17th) meeting, when the rate -was actually levied, I realised, on making a further detailed examination of the position with the County Treasurer, that the work on the. Main Highway, together with

j other riding .commitments, had been I considered heavier, than anticipated, and these, taken into account--with an amount of flood damage resulting from the recent heavy rains, made me realise that I had put the pruning knife in a little too deep. Of Blake interviewed me when the. financial aspect and commitments of the riding generally were carefully analysed, and it was on my advice and recommendation, on handing over to my successor, that the general rate was reduced by id in the £. I consider my ad.vice was sound, and that Or Blake, appreciated the situation correctly and acted wisely and in the best interests of the rid-, ing. From the fon,e of Mr Dysart's letter one. woul<f think that the rate had been raised instead of its being reduced. I am, etc., B. S. ALLAN, 22/5/2h. Nukutaw'hiti.