OHOPE PEOPLE AGAINST PAYING SPECIAL RATES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 23, 19 April 1950, Page 5

OHOPE PEOPLE AGAINST PAYING SPECIAL RATES

A request for a permanent dust free tar-sealed road at Ohope was made by a meeting of Ohope ratepayers on Monday night when it was decided that the time was now opportune to form an Ohope Ratepayers’ Association. The meeting also protested strongly against having to pay special rates.

The main motion affecting the road was worded:—

“That this meeting of Ohope ratepayers who are effected by the terrible dust in dry weather, and the mud in wet weather request those in authority to set in motion the making of a permanent dust-free tar-sealed road, as what is done at present is unhealthy, uneconomic, and the most wasteful way of road upkeep.” The other motion regarding rates was:—

“That this meeting of Ohope ratepayers consider that in justice Ohope should not be paying special rates, to pay interest and sinking fund on the old county loan which is now called Conversion No. 2 £76,295 Loan, but in 1936-37 was simply called the Conversion of £76,295 Loan.” Mr F. Mahy (Snr) opened the meeting by drawing ratepayers’ attention to the recent revaluations and the possible effect of shifting* to the Ohope ratepayers an increased proportion of the county rates. He said that Ohope ratepayers appeared to be paying a special rate in respect of Conversion No. 2 Loan which was floated many years ago and that Ohope did not benefit from the loan moneys. Mr Mahy pointed out that whereas in 1936-37 the rate for this loan was ad in the £ it was now Id in the £ and calculated on much increased valuation.

Mr W. A. Clark, county member for the Taneatua Riding, explained that increase in valuation did not necessarily mean an increase in rates as the rate was struck to produce a certain sum irrespective of the valuations/ The exception was the hospital rate which was fixed by the Government. He said that a sum of money had been set aside as Ohope’s share of the Conversion' Loan. The expenditure of m'oney at Ohope now was mainly at the pleasure of the Main Highways Board. In his opinion the rates were very small and that little could be expected of them, Mr T. Dixon declared. He would like to see a fair rate paid and get some amenities for it. This remark was supported by many in the hall. Referring to the old county loan the county engineer, Mr C. H. Brebnerj explained that the £7OO being Ohope’s share in the Conversion Loan was held at present but that it would have to be expended on county roads' The only county road at Ohope extended from the Captain’s Cabin to a little past the Hostel. The eastern portion was main highway and the western end undedicated. ft was then decided to approach the council to hear the county council side of the position and report back to a further meeting. At the same time it was decided tc approach the council about the Ohope roads.