THINGS IN GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 6863, 23 April 1891, Page 4

THINGS IN GENERAL.

At the, forthcoming Conference for the discussion of matters appertaining to municipal affairs, it might be as well if (says the Napier Telegraph) the position of ratepayers was put on a more equitable footing. The.other day we pointed out that the ratepayers of a borough are divided into two classes, namely, those who by paying all overdue rates by a certain date are called burgesses; and those who, being in arrears at that date, have lost thereby the whole of their local electoral privileges.. Those are the two classes that are known to the law, bat there is yet another class, which is that compared of householders whose rates are paid by the landlord. These people, like those who are on the Defaulters' List, have no voice in the government of the borough. Now, considering the ample power given to Municipal Corporations to secure the payment of all rates due, it certainly seems most unfair that there should be such a thingf known as a disfranchised ratepayer. To deprive a ratepayer of his electoral privileges as a punishment for being-in arrears with his rates, is a punishment wholly disproportioned to the offeace. And its disproportion is in this respect, that the rates can be sued for and recovered within a few days of when pay• mentis due.

In the place of a Burgess 8011, and a Defaulters' List, there should be a House* holders' 8011, and every householder, whether he pays rates or whether his landlord pays them; whether he owes rates or whether he has paid them; should be entitled to vote as a bucgess. Every householder pays bis share of the rates either directly or indireotly, for if the landlord actually pays them the amount is usually added on to the rent. And in the case of those who are now known to be defaulters, they are always compelled to pay sooner or later. But the law as it stands now lays down a hard and fast rule that the Burgess 801 l shall be signed at a certain date, and any ratepayer who is in default of a sixpenny bit at that time, is not only then and there deprived for a whole' twelve months of the local franchise, but is sued for the debt; straight away. Eeverting to the case of the householder whose, landlord pays the rates, we have the injustice that though the amount of the rates are included in the rent, he has no voice in municipal matters. 'As pointed out by a correspondent writing to the Post:—ln a very great many cases the tenant has at least-as great a stake in the city as his landlord. There is his furniture, and if in business his Btook-intrade, but of greater importance still, there is his health and tho health of his family, and however anxious he may be on this bead, he has no voice in the election of those whose duty it is to make his surroundings healthy. It would be well if the Conference could devise some means of enlarging the body of electors, so as to include all who have a fair stake in the city, and who are likely to exercise the franchise for the good of tho community. Class representation has ceased in national matters, aad it is timo the same thing prevailed in mere local affairs.

"Now, George, you must divide the cakehonorably with your brother Charles." "What is honorably, mother?" "It means that you must give him the larger piece." "Then, mother. I'd rather that Charles should divide it."

It is a waste of time to look back at one's own mistakes when there is ao much fun watching other peoples. * # * #„■ An Auckland life insurance agent recently received a letter from a man at To Aroha, who said he was thinking of taking out a policy, and ha asked that a blank form be forwarded him. It was returned last Tuesday, and the following is a specimen of the man's honesty :— •• What did your fßther die of ?" " Consumption." " Your mother ?" 14 The same." . j " Ever have heart trouble ?" " Yes, very bad." " Lost any brothers or sisters by death, and if so what did thby die of ?" "Lost five of them, and all died of consumption and heart disease." " Do you ever spit blood ?" " Heaps of times." " Ever had any serious accident P" " Yes. Had nearly all my bones broken three or four titr.es." " Memory good ?" 11 No." , " Sleep well ?" " No." " How's your appetite ?" V V cry poor." Several other important questions were answered after the same candid fashion, and the agent will have to write him that there is no lifo insurance for so truthful a man.

Buy a nice round steak ; spread over it a dressing made of bread crumbs soaked in boiling water and seasoned with salt, pepper, butter and cage to taste. Then make the steak, spread with this dressing, into a roll. Tie it round and round with a string to keep it.together. Place in a dripping pan with a little water and bake in a moderate oven. After . taking from the oven remove the cord and slice the roll ready for the table. It is very nice either warm or cold.