CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12402, 16 January 1905, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

BOROUGH COUNCIL MONOPOLY

To the Editor

Sir,—l know that you are always at tha head of affairs when a wrong has to be righted, and therefore I ventilate a grievance which I feeil assured wil have your sympathy, as it must have that of the public. We are all ratepayers, for though we do not actually pay the rates straight into the coffers of-the Borough Council, still we do so by devious means —and that is through rent. Now, lam a ratepayer,. and have b&en for many years. Therefore, I think. I should receive consideration in the grievance I wish to ventilate, and which is so sadly hampering the working men amongst our community, leading, shall I say, to eventual starvation!. I refer, sir, to the autocratic action of the Borough Council authorities in not allowing smiall contractors the opportunity of using material at the.r command—not, mind you, for nothing—but simply to "block" the man diesirous of earning an honest day's toil for a living. But, sir, what think you of this: that after the Borough Council authorities in their autocratic manner have denied the honest, hardworker from taking some of their mater .'al—tar, for instance, and to be paid for at their own charge*—they do the work themselves, and that'a how the Borough revenue is swelled. Bub, Mr. Editor, this revenue to a large extent i 3 swelled at the expense of the working man, who contributes to the rates, and I ask you, sir, is this right?—l am, etc., R. SHARP.