LIABILITY FOR RATES

Evening Star, Issue 22147, 30 September 1935, Page 8

LIABILITY FOR RATES

COLLEGE TRUST BOARD APPEAL CASE [Feb United Peess Association.] WELLINGTON, September 30. The Court of Appeal is to-day considering the question of the liability of St. John’s College Trust Board to pay rates to the Auckland City Council in respect of its college property, known as St. John’s College, in West Tamaki, Auckland. In April the Auckland City Council issued a writ against the defendant board, claiming £645, being three years’ rates alleged to be due in respect of the property, together with £64, being penalty accrued and due thereon. In its pleadings the board contended that its property, upon which it conducted a theological college for the training of students for the Anglican ministry, was exempt from rating by virtue of sub-section 6 of the exemptions to the definition of rateable property contained in section 2 of the Rating Act, 1925, in that its lands and buildings were used for a school, and not carried on exclusively for pecuniary gain or profit. By consent of the parties the question was removed direct into the Court of Appeal for argument. The question to be decided is of importance to local authorities in whose rating districts are situated theological and other special colleges. Argument is proceeding.