Soldier Farms And Payment Of Rates

Chronicle (Levin), 13 January 1949, Page 4

Soldier Farms And Payment Of Rates

-. Where • a -property has been acquired by the Crown for the settlement of ex-servicemen and it is still, after purchase, shown on the valuation roll supplied to the hospital board to enable it to assess its levy, the hospital rates will be paid by the Government. If the property has been removed from the roll, then the rate will not be paid. This information was conveyed to the Horowhenua County Council yesterday in a circular letter from the N.Z. Counties' Association. The letter stated that several questions had been raised over this subject, including requests, that the Government pay the full rates, including hospital rates on such property. As a result discussions had been held with members of the Lands and Survey Department, and the " matter taken up with the Minister of Finance. The department would now make a check on land taken prior to Mareh 31, 1948. and if property was found to be included on the roll for this year's hospital levy, then grants in lieu of hospital rates would be made to the local authorities. Commenting, the chairman, Mr. A. M. Colquhoun, said that the council should be grateful to the cierk, Mr. F. H. Hudson, for the work he had put in on this matter, which had entailed many trips to Wellington. The result was as satisfactory as the council eould expect. Previously such land taken by the Government had not been removed from the roll and was rated. Now they could watch the position closely and ensure that such land was taken off the roll.