HUTT RATING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1937, Page 13

HUTT RATING

COUNTY'S POSITION

"INTOLERABLE EXEMPTIONS" "I am of opinion that the council should again bring before Parliament the injustice under which this county suffers in respect of rating exemptions," declared the chairman of the Hutt County Council (Mr. D. It. Hoggard) at the annual meeting today, when reviewing the council's position. Mr. Hoggard' said that the county's burdens were steadily increasing. Not only had the roads to carx'y constantlyincreasing traffic, originating in the city, but the revenue kept diminishing owing to additions to the already intolerable rating exemptions. "Nearly 40 per cent; of the area of the county is already totally exempt from rates, and there is a.further area which is nominally rateable but from which by reason of Government mortgages the county is unable to recover rates," he said. "The Government has given some assistance to cities and boroughs in respect of similar property, but counties have not been treated in the same -way." : . Dealing with the general position, the chairman said that the council's balance-sheet as. at March 31 last showed that the total -of all riding credits was £2552, and this sum would be sufficient to pay all liabilities due on March 31 last, and enable the council to make some replacements in its road plant. The statement of public debt showed that the -principal outstanding was £81,077, less sinking fund £2986. The council's assets totalled £46,446. •...,' The total rents received were £1046. The collection of rates during last year had been satisfactory; 91.8 per cent, of ■current rates were collected—approximately the same percentage as .the previous year. .'-... The sum of £8588 was expended on No. 5 Scheme as against £9256 in the previous year.. There were now 36 men on No. 5 Scheme as compared with 118. twelve months ago. Building permits f0r'1936-37 aggregated £81,301 as compared with £59,025 in J935-36 and £35,885 in 1934-35. ...... ' The revaluation of the county came into fprce, on March 31, 1936, and the present rateable capital value was £3,234,637, showing a reduction of £300,000 when compared with the old valuation. which came into force on ■March 31,1925; ... •■ ■ Mr. Hoggard was elected chairman for the tenth successive, year. Members paid a tribute to Mr. Hoggard's chairmanship, and to the efficient manner in .which he conducted the county's affairs. ■ . . The usual grant of £100 was passed to .the chairman in lieu of travelling expenses. ■ . . -, Other positions were filled as follows: —Finance and administrative committee, the chairman arid Councillors J. Blackley, J. J..'Maher, and F. W. yickerman; representative on New Zealand Counties': Association, Councillor Blackley; representative to New Zealand Free Ambulance Transport Service, Councillor K. L. Button; representative on Wellington City and Suburban Highways Board, Councillor Hoggard; representative on Wellington City and Suburban Water Board, Councillor Maher.. .