ELLERSLIE DISTRICT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22970, 23 February 1938, Page 17

ELLERSLIE DISTRICT

Sir,—lt is a pity that "AntiStrutter" does not devoto his energies to tho services of some local authority instead of offering criticism and making statements which have no foundation in fact. The statement that there is a threatened increase of 50 per cent in rates in prospect if the district is changed to a borough status shows ignorance of the real position. In 1936-37 tho board decreased the rates by 10 per cent, but owing to- tho tremendous increase in the price ol materials during 1937 tho board could only reduce the quantities purchased to keep within- tho limits of the allocation. The question of town board versus borough does not enter into the question of finance at all, the present poll costing nt) more than an ordinary election. "Anti-Strutter ' evidently does not know that Ellerslie lown Board laid down the Great South Road from Greenpark Road to Dickson s corner in concrete at a cost of £7701) in 1926. Tho storm water he complains of comes from outside districts and can onlv bo dealt with by the co-operation of * tho bodies within the catchment area from which the water gathers. The street lighting may not be perfect nor the roads everything that may be desired, nor probably would bo in tho eyes of "Anti-Strutter. H. J. White, Chairman, Ellerslie Town Board.