UNWILLING TO PAY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22513, 22 September 1938, Page 4

UNWILLING TO PAY

Waimairi Council And Domains Board

REVISED ALLOCATION OF

LEVY DESIRED

Unwillingness to pay the full allocation levied on it by the Christchurch Domains Board ■ was ■ expressed by members of the Waimairi County Council at the meeting of the council last evening. A request for full payment was made by a deputation from the board, comprising Mr M. E. Lyons and Dr. J. Guthrie, which explained how the allocation was made. Cr. F. S.. Scott presided. Mr Lyons said that originally the Domains Board had levied £2500 from the constituent local bodies, but this had later been increased to £3500 under statutory authority. For some years it had been obvious that the work of the board could hot be done on this -sum,' and it had been able to carry on only through the assistance given by the Government in providing unemployed labour. A conference of constituents was held, and this was followed by an amendment to the legislation giving the board the right to rate for £SOOO. This became effective for the current financial year. The only method of deciding the amounts to be paid by the various local bodies was to act on the basis of the proportions paid in the former levy. Some local bodies had indicated that they thought these proportions should be changed. That, however, was not a job .for the board. The local bodies should ask the Government to set up a commission to devise a new allocation.

As it stood, the rate was made for this year on the new amount but in the same proportions as before. The request of the deputation was that Waimairi "should pay its .new amount for this year—under protest, if it preferred to, make such a proviso. Waimairi’s share was £683. Cr. H. Kitson asked whether this amount being paid, a commission would be set up. Mr Lyons said that the board had already written to the Minister for Lands, indicating that it had no objection to a commission. However, it was now for the constituent bodies formally to ask for it to be set up. Cr. W, G. Chapman: On rateable value and population basis we have been paying too much. Commission Costing £6OO Cr. W. P.' Spencer: How much would a commission cost? Cr. Kitson: Between £6OO and £7OO. Part of the money we are asking for will have to pay for the commission. Cr.'W.-J; Walter moved that the full amount be ' This was seconded by Cr. J. Liggins.

The chairman said there was no question of the council’s appreciation of the work done by the Domains Board. The matter needed careful consideration by a commission. The Domains Board was, however, too eager to do all the work required in one year. It should be spread over a number of years. It was easy for an out* side body to say it wanted £ 150 more, but .where . was Waimairi to get that sum? It had difficulties enough already.

Cr. Kitson said that there were various. wsySs.of economy.-One was to let spen&2ia?.great sum in bringing it up to standard ‘ again. Whimairi’s revenue hadincrfased since 1926, yet the Dohad to run all that time on'decreased income. The domain had ! l>een-' lefi-to the people of Canterbury as a heritage for all time, and it should be maintained. The area was 570 acres, and the board had only five staff gardeners, and five apprentices. Cr. C. E. Cross supported the motion. Waimairi was the only local body to .object to this payment. Cr. Chapman moved as an amendment that this year’s amount be made up to the sum of £550, provided in the councils estimates, the balance of '£l2B to be paid at the beginning of next financial year, provided a commission were set up to reconsider allocations, .and if the commission were not set tip, the council should revert to its formerpayment, of £475. - This was seconded by Cr. Kitson and was carried- .