OPEN COLUMN.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 1 July 1931, Page 7

OPEN COLUMN.

This column is open to the tree expression of opinion uuder certain restrictions. AU tellers must be signed with the correct name and address of the sender. The signature not for publication unless desired—and we sbaUlnlJO it that it is so desired it" no nom-ile-plume likewise accompanies the letter—but as evidence of bova fides. , , , Letters should .iot exceed 300 words in length, and preference of publication will be accorded short letters, provided they are deemed of sufficient interest. . Letters will be condensed or rejected as the editor deems fit. Correspondents sbould write on pne side ot the paper only—in ink, and as clearly as possible. TO THE EDITOR Sir,-—The letter published by you, written by Mr It. F. Ellis, respecting County rates is so far from correct as to call for a reply. Mr Ellis admits the statements made by hi in are his own deductions, and consequently those who are conversant with facts will not take such statements too seriously. Mr Ellis concludes we are in a mess. I suppose he means the ratepayers as a whole have boen placed in a bad position through the actions of the Council As seven of the nine ridings ended the tiuaucial year with substantial credit balances this is surely wrong. Those seven ridings have fairly heavy lists of outstanding rates which would have increased the credit balances had they been paid. These siid credit balances vary from £32 18s 9d to £533 5s lid. The Other two ridings have debit balances of £31 Is 1 Id and £298 1 Is Bd, and in each case far more general rates are outstanding than would be required to square these accounts. Further, each of these two ridings carried out far more metalling of roads than was anticipated, so that advantage could be taken, to secure Government grants available, fciurely this is sound linance.

The suggestion that the Council has allowed matters to drift in connection with dealings with the Maiu Higuways Board is quite wrung. Mr Ellis is not in a position to speak on this matter. Without going into auy details I can assure you that the Council, with all tact* and figures before it, has considered what ahouLl be done. The Couucil thoroughly <iis ousted the matter with the Main High wa)S Board ou the occasion of tne Board's visit heie ou January 29th last, and an uadertakiug was given the Board that the Couucil would tbia year honour its obligation in the matter. In viovv of the fact that this undertaking was filially settled in January, I fail to see wiiere Mv Ellis gets liis idea of "putting 08. the evil day." It cannot be denied that the high way provided 10 date, with the pros peot of a good througn road, is aii eady a distinct advantage to the district and the taxpayers • should be ready to provide the sum usked for. Aa lut tne .item for maintenance of the 34 miles of highway I would point out that the maiuteuauce of the clay road coat the Uouuty considerably more than tne sum being asked lor tuo main* teuauce ot a uietalied road.

It may iuteiest tue prominent mem bera of the Koduey Katepayers' Association to kuovv that the Highways Board could, if'it so desired, secure payuieut of any sum due by the Umucil, tarough the Tieaaury, Wei lington, out of auy sum due to the Couuty for oubaidies on rates or road works.

In f-ttoiiUg the estimates for expenditure this year, the utmost caution has been exceicised by the staff in keepiug each item as low as possible, cnibisteut with keeping the roads aud Other services up to a reasonable decree of efficiency, and these estimates have leosived ihe consideration and eudorseuit n or the wtiuloCJuuucil —I am, etc., W. J. Sen llum (JiiauiUrtU Eo Iney County Council.

Couched ou the floor <k ni^ht Dawn sleeps; Bill snoozes, too, upon his Bracken bed, Bu wukes and feels all over with the creeps i-iis oid nose blue, a dr ;idful aeldn; head Da vn breaks. 'JLWo'o "ope. Trie grocer s

i ay on tour. Brlug-'s Ri'lii botfck—Wo>.la' Grant P pp^rinintCure.