COUNTY'S RATES LEVIED

Chronicle (Levin), 24 May 1947, Page 4

COUNTY'S RATES LEVIED

No Increase Made ; Hospital Rate Stabilised The gCiieral rate in the Hotowhe-' nua County will not be increased this year. It will remain at l-15/64d. in the £ on the capital value. This decision was reached at a speeial meeting of the coiincil yesterday. In accordance with the legislatiort passed by Parliament last year, the hospital rate 'Will be at the stabilised figure Of -»d. in the £1. This represents an increase ef i/16d. on last year's rate of 7/l6d. in the £1. The cOuncil's expenditure for year is estimated at £33,886. RevenUe is estimated at £7500, which is increased to £12,561 by the addi:ion Of a credit balahce of £5061. This leaves a sum of £21,325 *to be provided by ' the general rate of l-15/64d in 4he £ to halance the budget. Referring to the hospital levy, che chairmah, Mr. G. A. Monk, said that the stabilised hospital rate of -£-d ih !the £ on the capital value did not nearly cover « the contributions of local authofities to hospital mainte*nance. Nevertheless, he took pride in having been" associated with the question of hospital rating for some years, and having seeh it reach the stage it had. The clerk; Mr. F. H. Hudson, in his annual report, explained that this year the levy of £9235 made on the couheil by the Palmerston North Hospital Board was at the stabilised rate of i& on the county's total capital value. Allowing for native lands and, adjustments, this rate would not produce the full amount required. The sum actually eollected bythe rate of £d would be about 2.S per cent. short of the £9235 which tht council had to provide. The speeial hospital aceount was in credit to the extent of £3032 ane. this would be used to make up the deficit, but when that was absorbed the hospital levy would neec to be implemented from the general account. Cr. A. J. Gimblett commented that the land should not be tht "chopping bloek" for hospital taxation. He added that the lanc should be freed of a great deal o; the burden it was carryihg today.