WATER RATES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27397, 9 July 1954, Page 5

WATER RATES

Sir, —This household has just received a bill from our City Council for water rates. We are a family of three, so unless it is washing the smoke from the gasworks, I cannot see how we can have used it. Further I believe our rates are to go up by 14 per cent. It happens that we live in Sydenham, which is one of the oldest suburbs in Christchurch. Judging it by that, the rates of Sydenham should be lower than those of the new suburbs. Are we expected to pay for the new settlement’s sewerage, roading, etc., or do we pay for these as well as our own? Many of the State housing tenants pay no rates, but use the roads more than the people who cannot afford cars because their rates are so high. It is about time some service was given to the suckers of Sydenham and the older suburbs from which the councillors get most of their votes. Hoping for a satisfactory answer.—Yours, etc., NO HELP FOR THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES. June 28, 1954.

[“City rates are based on government unimproved valuations and consequently are in fact lower in Sydenham than in many other areas, including some of the new areas,” said the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast) yesterday. “Rates are paid on all State houses; and the cost of constructing the roads in State settlements and of providing services is borne by the State. Without more information, I am unable to comment on the reference to the water account; but if the correspondent cares to call or write I will be glad to give him any further information he requires on this or other aspects of his letter.”]