The Advances to Settlers Department and Mr Mills. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 13

The Advances to Settlers Department and Mr Mills. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— My attention having been called to your leador of the 21th mat., in which my name figures conspicuously in conneotion with a loan from the Advances to Settlers Office to my brother, Thomas H. Mills, of Hopai, it is quite apparent .the original writer, either from iguoraat or malicious motives, has simply stated great untruthi. Thereal facts are that my brother made aa applica- \ tion to the office named for a loan of £2000 on his freehold and leasehold property. It was valued , i by two different experts at over £4000, and by I two separate valuers appointed by the office after* wards, and the lowest valuation v/aa £3705. The board then lent him £1650 as a first mortgage on the property. With regard to the statement about property tax valuation made some years ago, it has uo application if true, for my brother , has felled, cleared, grassed, and fenced into pad- - docks neaily 700 aores since that time, , beside* other substantial improvements. The public will ; see this is a completo answer to the infamous charee3 made. I regret very much m a colonial that wo have come people in Qtir colony who, for party puiposes, are willing to defame either the good uamo of persons or the national credit of public institutions with such vicious statements. — I am, &c., Wellington. • O, R. Mills, M.H.R

At the poll of the ratepayers of Alexandra tho proposals for a wafor supply and electric lighting were % cmied, 53 ratepayers voting.

J*T