Highly Creditable Maori Rate Collection

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 47, 18 May 1948, Page 5

Highly Creditable Maori Rate Collection

Without taking into account drainage rates paid direct to the Drainage Department total Maori fate collections in the Whakatane County for the year ended March 31 last exceeded the previous year’s collec- # lions by £24 13s 2d according to the annual report that the Maori rate collector, Mr A. O. Stewart, has presented to the County Council. Of a total of £3,786 16s 2d County rates struck, Mr Stewart reported that £3,399 2s 2d were collected (including arrears) and leaving £387 14s uncollected, of which £350 is •considered uncollectable, so that collectable rates outstanding total

only £37 14s. Of £2,284 19s 6d drainage rates struck, only £l3B Os Id remained outstanding and collectable. Figures show that the collections for the year 1946/47 left a total of £202 14s 5d collectable County and .Drainage rates uncollected, whereas for the year 1947/48, the total uncollected amounted to £152 11s 9d being £SO 2s 8d less than for the previous year. Showing how each year the Maori ratepayers' are more than ' ever endeavouring to pay their rates within the specified time, the total collection for the short period from February 17 to March ,31, 1947, w;as £2,473 and for the similar period this year £3,009 13s 7d. “I find that the collection of Native rates in this County is becoming much easier excepting in the Matata Riding,” Mr Stewart commented. “The difficulty here lies in getting into touch with owners or successors of deceased owners living out of the district where sections are either unoccupied or not used. I find, however, that a recurring trouble where ;small sections are concerned is the continual change in occupation, so that it becomes absolutely necessary that a close watch be kept in this Tespect in all the Ridings throughout the year. This position is aggravated mfcire than ever by the fact that the Maoris are now going in more and more for growing crops for the market, especially kumara, and. are now making more use of their small areas. I find also, that many, Maori ratepayers who have not been able to pay their rates have been enabled to do so from the proceeds of the sale of their kumara crops.”