MUNICIPAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7382, 17 July 1885, Page 3

MUNICIPAL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, The vast amount of work done in the city and suburbs has involved an expenditare which has apparently taken the ratepayers by surprise, but, on the other hand, the work was necessary and the ontlay perfectly justifiable by its being of a reproductive character. I presume, Sir, that the various properties in and about the city hare increased in value and rateable adjustment, and that ere long one shall be apprised of it. New Zealand is doubtless one of the heaviest taxed countries in the British dominion*, but Auckland is not the heaviest rated oity in our adopted country. There are less pretentious places even in the North and S.'.uth Islands that are rated at fifty per oent. higher, but in every instance it is the act of the people, through their representatives, who should have controlled the expenditure. It is the City Council who are creating » furore, and not the public, and in order to soothe their consciences they proposed a reduction of 15 per cent, on the salaries of their officials. Such action is ungracious and without precedent, and will not be viewed favourably by the public ; and while it would be competent to reduce the number of employes, it would be manifestly unjust to lower the salaries of a permanent staff of experienced and efficient men on the plea of an excess of expenditure, brought about by a want of supervision which clearly should have protected the revenue of the city corporation. It is an axiom in political economy that if you would keep men honest you mnsfe enable them to live so. The remarks made of late by some of our honoured members at the Council Board are somewhat cynical, and display an animus which should not bo tolerated.—l am, &c,, Progress.