DOMAIN UPKEEP: A MEAN COUNCIL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 78, 8 May 1914, Page 5

DOMAIN UPKEEP: A MEAN COUNCIL.

To the Editor of THE SUN. ' Sir,—ln your issue of May 7 you give a full report of the protest that is being raised by the Spreydon Council against paying its small share toward the upkeep, of the Christchureh domain and gardens. Now, sir, there is a lot of talk about the rates of Spreydon being increased, but the Council, according to your report, do not state what the rate will be. To hear-them talk one would think that pounds and pounds were going to be added to the burden of rates. But what does the position mean. I will show the ratepayers. First of all all Spreydon people have a right to use the parks and gardens, and hundreds of them I am sure do so every week.

What about the cricket, football, , hockey, etc. Spreydon contributes its hundreds of players and spectators, who all use the park. And what about the gardens? Spreydon people patronise these fairly well. It is absolutely absurd to contend that Spreydon people do not go to the parks and domain. Now about the awful burden of rates that are to go on to the ratepayers. Work it out. The rate levied by the Domain Board on Spreydon represents the large sum of one shilling and threepence for every thousand

pound worth of property held by the .ratepayer, or ninepence for every property worth £6OO. Even if the l>oniain Board taxed to its "fullest limit under the Act it. can not exceed 2/6 for a thousand pound property. I|! it were possible I would like to see Spreydon residents debarred from ever entering the parks or domain, and then we would cee how swiftly they would deal (as soon as they grasped the tjue position) with such a council as now exists, and who apparently have never gone into the matter. But like the dog who bit his master in the dark—they •would be sorry for it next day, if the board only had the power of excluding those who have not contributed

through their respective councils. ! However, Spreydon has got to pay its ' few pence per ratepayer, but the purpose of my writing yon is to lay the position before thte ratepayers as far as it concerns the rates or the increase

therein, and also to lodge my protest against their council's protest.' I would also suggest to the council that they work matters out occasionally, and not play follow my leader too often, and thereby make their borough not look too mean. I don't mind the council being mean, but it must not do anything to make the district look mean.—l am, etc., LOOKER-ON.