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16
shilling in the pound to the parish ratepayer, and a triennial
increase of nearly 3d. in the pound. What is there
to prevent its rising in the same way for the following
three years from the spring of 1892, which would bring
the incidence of the rate up to nearly 1s. 3d. in the £
Nothing whatever, so far as I can see, in the present constitution
of the Board. Whether the coming Board shall
introduce any change in this respect is a question which
may partly depend on the mandate of the ratepayers."
In the three years 1886-9 the ratepayers of this parish contributed
£'76.544, or £25,514 per annum, for the School Board
elected in 1885; in the three years 1889-92 the sums levied
amount to £93,040, or £31,013 per annum, for the Board
elected in 1888, and now retiring from office, being an increase
of £5,499 per annum.
Occupiers of tenements or "dwelling houses," whose rates are
included in their weekly rents and paid by their landlords,
have equal voting power with householders, so that if the
latter do not attend at the polling stations and record their
votes, the choice is in danger of being left in the hands of a
small section of the electors, who bear but little share of the
burthen, and have, therefore, less interest in limiting the
expense.
It is observable, also, that complaints of "heavy rates" are
frequently made by occupiers who omit to avail themselves of
those opportunities of improving matters which the periodical
elections afford.
Of the rates for the current year, which are 4s. l0½d. in the £,
only 1s. 3¼d. in the £ is for local purposes, over which the
Yestry have control. The remainder, 3s. 7¼d., is for the
purposes of the Board of Guardians, the Police, the County
Council, and the School Board.
* The Polling Station for Ward No.
, in which your premises are situate, will be
at the
Ladies who are rated occupiers are entitled to vote.
By Order of the Yestry,
J. E. SMITH,
Vestry Clerk."
* Adapted to each Ward.