HOSPITAL RATING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 43, 29 January 1943, Page 5

HOSPITAL RATING

LEVY BY VALUATION

MINISTER'S REPLY TO BOROUGH COUNCIL In response to the Whakatane Borough Council's critical reply to the letter from the Minister in Charge of the Valuation Department, the Hon. J. G. Barclay has replied again) regarding the basis of valuation for Hospital levies', and intimated 1 that he was not prepared! to adopt the Council's recommendation. The letter reads:— . "In reply to your letter of the 11th instant it is noted that your Council favours the collection of Hospital rates on the Capital values fixed at last; revision; i.e. without adding annually the new buildings elected, but before my coLlcague, the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs, would be prepared to promote, legislation to give effect to this, I feel he would wish it to have the endorsement of the Municipal Association, You suggest that, tin- Valuer General should be instrueicd to add some of the new buildings in Whakatane County to the roll; in order that they be included in she hospital summary, and more specifically, that two buildings you name, together Avith "any improvements on other properties within the Jknoweldge of the District Valuer" be so added. I feci that such an instruction would leave- the Department's methods open to so much criticism I run - not prepared to adopt your Council's suggestion. As soon as these annual additions were thus casually placed on the rails. the value of these rolls, as an accurate record; of the comparative value: of each jDroperty, would be open; to serious challenge. Also having once adopted k valuation for roll purposes a subsequent correction, because of more thorough investigation( would: generally encourage objection." Mentioning the letter Gr Sullivan said he had discussed the question of building permits with Mr Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, and had received a sympathetic hearing on the point raised by the Council. He added that, he understood that building permits were required. in the Tauranga, Te Puke and Rolorua Counties, and this seemed to him to be the only fair basis of keeping track with the rising valuations. The. Council decided to represent the matter further to the Minister of Internal Affairs with a view to gaining some finali-'cy.