LARGE COLLECTION MADE OF COUNTY MAORI RATES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 50, 29 May 1950, Page 5

LARGE COLLECTION MADE OF COUNTY MAORI RATES

Apart from the 1948-49 total last year’s figures for the collection of Maori rates eclipsed all previous individual year’s collections the Maori rate collector, Mr A. O. Stewart, stated in his anual report presented to the Whakatane County Council. The total amount of rates collected, both county and drainage, was £6398 4s. The total Maori rates struck was £4231 Is 4d of which £3944 3s 4d was collected. The Maori drainage rates amounted to £2629 6s 4d, all but £175 being collected. Continuing his report Mr Stewart states that the collection of Maori rates in the County of Whakatane is becoming a much easier problem, now that complications have been smoothed out to a much more, understandable approach. The Maori ratepayer in the County, he says, has at last become reconciled to the fact of recurring rates year after year, and to the fact of his ability. “It is pleasing to note that they are gradually developing a senjse of making provision in the way of putting away sufficient funds to meet their future rates.”

Rates on Development Scheme lands are now in a very much better position, Mr Stewart continues, as the arrears which have been carried forward from year to year are now practically settled, the last payment made by the Department of Maori Affairs having wiped out almost all arrears on developed areas.

Lands not under the Development Scheme, but which are under mortgage to the Waiariki District Maori Land Board under a separate scheme- are in a very sound position as far as the rating question is concerned. In the whole of the County, practically none of these areas is carrying any arrears, the Board seeing to it that all rates are paid without fail.