CO129-387 - Individuals - 1911 — Page 81

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of the local Government. They considered, before taking

other steps, their proper course was to address you on the

subject setting out their reasons for feeling they were not

being fairly treated. If they are merely to get a reply in

the nature of an abrupt negative conveyed through another

channel which had previously adopted the same attitude

they will feel, and do feel, that to appeal to you involves

a waste of time and expense and a receipt of any other

consideration at your hands than that already given by the

local Government is out of the question.

4. This state of affairs must necessarily create grave

dissatisfaction in the minds of our Clients and of the

public in this Colony, with the method in which, what are

considered to be just claims, or reasonable and equitable

views, are dealt with when referred to you and can only

drive them to the conclusion that the attitude of the local

Government, which is often so seriously taken exception to in

the many cases in which its interests are brought in contact

with the interests of private individuals in this Colony,

will be ratified by your Office as a matter of course. The

arrival at this conclusion is enhanced in the present case

owing to the fact that, out of many reasonable requests,

one - the appointment of Assessors to sit with the Judge

had been originally proposed in the same connection by the