RATE INCREASE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 124, 28 May 1942, Page 5

RATE INCREASE

ONE TREE HILL

RESERVES EASE BURDEN

For the first time since he had assumed office in 1931 he had to announce an increase in the rates, said Mr. I. J. Goldstine, Mayor of One Tree Hill, at a meeting of the borough council last evening. The increase, it was stated, was also the first in 14 years.

Presenting the provisional estimates of receipts and payments and proposed rates for the vear ending March 31, 1943, Mr. Goldstine saia that revenue receipts under all headings were expected to reach £43,738, compared with aotual revenue receipts totalling £42,807 last vear. Revenue payments were estimated to total £48.929, compared with an actual expenditure of £41,237 last year.

The proposed consolidated rate was 2/4 in the pound, or 3d more than last year. The rise was entirelv clue to the increased hospital and fire board levies and additional nrovision for the E.P.S. Due to increased valuations, the drainage rate in the new drainage area could be reduced by a further halfpenny to 7d. and the rate to meet the Drainage Board levy was also reduced bv one halfpenny. The net result was that the aggregate rates in the three separate ratmg areas of the borough would he:—Original drainage area. 2/9 in the pound, an increase of 2td" new drainage areas, 3/H iu the" pound an increase of 2d; unsewered area' t Pound, an increase of 3d' in addition, there was a cost of 12/6 per tenement for house refuse removal.

Had the reserves carefully built up during prosperous years not been available, continued the renort the council would have had no option but to pass on to ratepayers a full increase of 7id, or very seriouslv curtail essential maintenance work. In the circumstances, the comparatively small increases in the three area's was not excessive.

On the motion of the Mavor the council approved the estimates subject to any alteration that might be made in respect of the hospital board £ y tv^ nd corresponding alteration of thl r 3 s ; The final adoption of the estimates was deferred to a special meeting to be convened imo!l°wi "S the striking of the hospital board levy.