OPEN COLUMN.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1595, 2 September 1885, Page 2

OPEN COLUMN.

Oar columns are open to the discussion of all matters of public interest, but we are in no way identified Kith the views of our correspondents. RATE COLLECTOR AND HIS DUTY. (To the Editor Inangahtta Time««.) Sir -Being a constant reader of your valuable paper, the only medium by which it can be known (truthfully) what, is doing in Beef ton and District. In reading your report of the County Council meeting in your issue of August Slat, I was struck for the way in which some of tho Councillors culo^i-io the Rate Collector for, as they call it, doing his duty. Now, sir, that officer is receiving a regular screw of €150 per annum for rate collecting and valuing alone, in addition he received last week £90 10a 10d for royalty on miners rights, besides other emoluments (not bad these dull times), the above named duties having been previously performed f>r 1100. Cr. Campbell, viewing the straightneu financial position of the Council, thought it his duty to try and retrench (a duty which every other Cojncillor owes to the ratepayers) by discharging s-nr.e valuless officers and lowering the high salaries of others, but when the Council came to the turn of the over paid rate collector, see, sir, the stand made against such nn outrageous proposition by some Councillors. It must be iuferred because Cr Cr.iig, Acting Chairman, said that he could not see how the Council would possibly benefit, I suppose by the reduction, by paying the the present Rate Collector under £230 per year, when it could be performed as well by dozens of others for £150 per annum. Some of tlie Councillors argue revenue. Have they already forgotten last November's general -'lection, when some property holders were struck off tho roll fur the Bake of votes, > uch property holders having previously paid rates for years, and are now again paying rates because there is no election coming on I now ask these Councillors do they call that collecting revenue, or doing his duty. Did not I Councillor Craig when he was told and | shown to him what ha I been done, said that it was wrong, and yet he with other Councillors tolerates it all, and says. Johnny is doing his duty. When it , was decided that the Rate Collector should receive 2(> for every miners right, not rights that were taken out by owners themselves, but as Cr. Campbell puts it, through his instrumentality. If it was so, n<> person coulci nor would find fault. Some of your many readers will be, no doii>>t astonished at the large amount €90 10s lOd for royalty on miners rights for twelve months. The reason is hundreds of miners rights were taken out for voting purposes at the last election, chiefly by owners themselves, and yet the Rate Collector pockets 2/0 per right. It was no winder that the redoubtable Johnny was so busy last Christinas in lighting for the dutifu' c-uise. Our littlj j friend is now laying on hia oars waiting patiently for the general election. It is to be hoped that the Council will see it their duty to call fnr applications for tho appointment of lla to Coiiciiior, &c, and not as formerly, the present holder of that remunerative position putting in a letter offering his services for so much, and j without argument, or consideration was j at once a.-c <pfed. I say, si;-, such proceedings in the future cannot We tolerated by the majority of the ratepayers. Councillors in fuMire mint consider economy or the ratepayers will soon tind out they are not doing their duty. I am &c, Ratepayer. Reefton, September Ist, 1885.