DILATORINESS OP RATEPAYERS. TO THE EDITOR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8238, 10 August 1888, Page 2

DILATORINESS OP RATEPAYERS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — As your commentary remarks on the dilatoriness of ratepayers, and bow dear they bare to pay for negleotiog to be punctual in their business, refers to myself, I accept the cap as it fits to a certain extent, and lam about to woir it. Now, Sir, as truth is the noblest thin? that man can worship, as it is good, just allow me to give you fioine truth in explanation to the above. You will a^ree with me that when a person is not grossly in fault they will endeavour to defend themselves— jußt so much an you did your harbour when some falsifiers rnada statements that the harbour was siltiua: up, an 1 aurain when the Hawea n-ns wrecked, that the harbour was uusafe to enter in bud weather; aIBO that rocks cxiste 1 in the fairway, and Buoh like untruths, which you havo proved thum to be by your able pen. Now, Sir, I disclaim all honor of beinsr backward in paying my ju 8 t debts, as I will endeavour to prove by giving the facts of the case. I looked out for the day when Mr Liwson was down to oolleot tho rates, an«l oa ray starting up to pay them, my brother saM to me, " Oh, I am going up to pay mine and two other ratea also, so I may just as well pay yours at th«j same time, to save trouble." Sol said, " Very well;" and I did not do it, but left it to him, and never thought anything else but that he had paid thorn, until, behold, I got a- summons. As soon as I got this I asked my brother for the receipt, which he even thought ho had, but on searching we found such was not tho case. So lat once wrote to Mr Lawson, forwarding the rate and the coat of tho summons, for which he forwarded the receipts; and 1 took it for granted that all was right, as I asked him to withdraw the case. If he did not intend to do so, ho ought to have referred mo to the Court to settle it there. Now, Sir, theso are the facts of the case, and I üm sure you will agree with me lhat I am more to be pitied than blamed. Trusting that you will be so kind as to insert these few lines, as I do not wish to be classed with that most contemptible class, namely, shufflers from paying just debts. — I am, &c, Austin F. Ddqdalb. Waitara, 9th August, 1888. [We sympathise with Mi* Dugdale, and think it was the duty oE the Clerk of the County Council to have withdrawn the summons, eeeing that he had acknowledged the receipt of tho money for the rates before the ones came to Court. We are glad to fiad that Mr Dugdale approves of the manner we have defended the harbour againßt its defamers.— Ed. T.H.]