THANKFULLY ACKNOWLEDGED

Inangahua Times, Issue II, 7 October 1881, Page 2

THANKFULLY ACKNOWLEDGED

• [TO THE EDITOB UfAITGAHtrA TIMES] ! Sib,— -I feel that it would amount to ingratitude on my part not to publicly acknowledge the beneficent pecuniary consideration bestowed on me by some of oar worthy County officials, in the reduction of my rates from £5 to £4 19s 6d, thus saving me, the sum of sixpence for the year, and I hear of even more liberality being extended to others by the same generous gentlemen. A friend of mine, who has been rated for years upon a valuation of £50, and who never objected to the amount, was 'nevertheless reduced to £48, thus effecting an annual saving of two shillings. Such liberality (no doubt) proceeding from purely disinterested motives, is rarely to be found amongst public men. On the contrary, men in similar 'position, as a rnle, endeavour to get as much revenue ag possible fronT'rateg 'and •'taxes, hut our conscientious public servants are exceptions to the rule. Now, sir, I have paid rates on valuation of £150, but considering that rather high I objected, and got it reduced to £100, but our County officers at that time strenuously opposed any reduction, which renders their voluntary consideration for ray pecuniary benefit at the present time more wonderful. Just fancy my, (doubt not) agreeable surprise on receiving the other day, notice for payment of Separate Kate of threepence in the £, instead of total valuation being £100, it is reduced to £99 10s, and instead of the usual £1 sa, I am only asked for £1 4* 10^4, thus effecting a clear saving to me of three halfpence a year on the Separate Kate. Really I am not conscious of being entitled to such special consideration at the hands of those worthy officers— their motives savour very much to me of (purely disinterested) gen3rosity. Yet some have the audacity to affirm that their chief and only motive is the vot» ing qualification (but not I). Oh ! do, I could not attribute such unworthy motives to our public servants— not I.— I am, &c, A. Campbell. Keefton, October 4th, 1881.