BURDEN OF RATES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 16, 26 May 1939, Page 5

BURDEN OF RATES

i COUNTY'TRIES TO EASE IT > ! BOA&D LEVY *•! ■' i•' ) When the question of rates was be- " iorc the Whakatane County Council at its meeting 011 Wednesday councillors stressed the absolute need to make the burden, on the farmer as light a one as possible, and expressed fears that a very difficult period lay . ahead for him. ''We can strike the same rates and providing they come in as well we will just about hold our own," said the acting-chairman, Gr J. L. Burnett. "The prospects are not too bright, but wc resolved to try it." "This new fortnightly holiday will — cost vis another £200 to £300 a year,* he added. f 'Regarding the hospital it would - take a rate of 1 3-16 d to cover the t . estimates, but we have a £600 cr-cdit --account to carry us on, so we think m we can drop l_l6d and strike the — 1 l-8d rate/" said Cr W. McCraeken. "We cant afford to slip back but the outlook for the ratepayer is not too bright, and we feel that we keep the load as light as possible. Cr Burnett said the farmer had a • diHicult year ahead. Te Whaiti Cases Cr J. Cawte mentioned that ail the Te Whaiti people go to the Rotorua hospital. He wondered whether the boundary of the Hospital Board could be adjusted. Cr F. J. Burt said a few- years ago no person w : as admitted to a hospital out of their own district. Cr Burnett said when people went •out of their district the outside board -should have to collect fees. - Cr C. McCready thought it was a matter which we should be grateful for. These people would overload thd Whakatane hospital and Whakatane people would not get accommodation. He questioned-whether it meant a loss to the Whakatane boardpeople who didn't pay in Rotorua would not pay in, Whakatane. Whakatane Had To Pay It was pointed out that the Wha-> fcatane board had to pay the full fee to Rotorua in such cases. Cr S. Spence thought the 1 3_l6d rate should be struck. Reserves should not be touched as we were not ..going into better times. i Overdraft Better Cr Burt said the ratepayers were burdened enough. Tbe coming year -was not likely to be good and it was better to pay interest to the bank -than strike higher rates. The arrears of rates Avere coming in well. The Maoris had paid £600, and by the way Mr Luca.-, going at them lie . might get £1000 extra this year.

Mr Lucas said that only 10 per cent would be for hospital rates. Cr Burnett said Mr Lucas watched the position very carefully. If lie said it was sound he thought they could take his word for it.