The Felding Star. Published Daily MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1893.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 32, 7 August 1893, Page 2

The Felding Star. Published Daily MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1893.

THE NEW HATING ACT. Tiik Rating Acts Amendment Act, 1593, introduced by the Hon. Mr Ward, provides that each locnl body slmll nmkc its own valuation roll Annually. Owners are to be deemed to be occupiers in cases of less than a month's occupancy. Two Reviewers may be nppointed to sit with the Jud^c of the Assessment Court. One rate-book may contain several rates, thus obviating the necessity for keeping a separate rate-book for each rate struck. The valuation-rolls and ratebooks are to be accepted as conclusive evidence. Rates unpaid three months after the payable date will bear interest at 10 per centum. Where judgment for rates is recorded against land no further instrument can be registered until the claim is paid. Every owner of property who sells any portion must give notice in writing to the local body within a month of the sale. Thu provision as to native lands provides for the rating of .ill native land which has passed the Land Court, and of native land which has not been before the Court but which hits an occupier other than native, or a native in beneficial occupation of land over which the native title has been extinguished, or anyone holding over 12 months' timber rights. The districts which we recently specificd — purely native districts — are exempted. Any 20 ratepayers may require a poll to be taken to decide whether local assessments shall be on the basis of unimproved values. Rates on unimproved values must not exceed 3d in the £1.