RATING INCIDENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 41, 19 January 1945, Page 5

RATING INCIDENCE

NEW VALUATION NEEDED

BOROUGH AMENITIES SUFFER

Discussing the projects ahead of the: Whakatane Borough Council His Worship the May. or f at last Monday's meeting said, that the limited amount which could be raised by means of rating was responsible for holding up many of the • undertakings which the Council knew were urgently nsededi There was a dire need for a revaluation of the whole Borough with a view to 1 placing it upon a fairei' basis and of bringing the residential area up to date. Mr Barry continued that he liatl seen the new Government valuer and had mentioned the extreme position in this town. The officer had replied that it was impossible for him to come to Whakatane for two or three years as he had other responsibilities which had to be met first. Cr Canning said that -the whole position was ridiculous. The Strand premises were carrying the bulk of the weight whilst many of the residential liomes were paying comparatively little. He knew of one case where the rates were only 12/6 annually.. He asked why a local valuer could not be appointed as there were several suitable men living in the town already. Cr Sullivan pointed out that the Hon. F. C. Skinner "Minister of Rehabilitation, was actually in charge of the Department under the Valuer General, and he suggested that Whakatane's drastic position could be brought to his notice next Friday (today). The Council decided to adopt this course.