COUNTY RATING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2217, 22 October 1907, Page 2

COUNTY RATING.

SEPARATE RIDING ACCOUNTS. Copies of soveral opinions given by Mr. T. F. Martin, solicitor to tlie Counties’ Association, were received at the meeting of the Cook County Council yesterday. An interesting opinion is that pf separate riding accounts, which is given regarding the Collingwood County. The caso is stated as follows:—The county is divided into two ridings— Aorere and Pakawau—and tlie proportion of ratable value of each riding is four-sevenths and throe-seven-ths respectively. In addition to having a large rating value, Aorere riding also receives a much larger income from goldfields revenue, publicans’ licenses, etc., while Pakawau riding lias practically no revenue hut its rates and the subsidy on same. Section 146 of “The Counties Act, 1886,” says that separate accounts shall bo kept lor each riding. The County Clerk, in keeping these accounts, has each year credited each riding with the cost of administration of the Council (officers’ salaries, office expenses, charitable aid, etc.) in proportion to the ratablo value of each riding. The result is that one riding flourishes whilst the other drifts into bankruptcy. Section 145 of the above Act says that the Council shall in each year apportion its estimated revenue in various ways, and deal with any surplus afterwards. Tho questions put are answered as folows:—(1) Does section 145 or any other section of the Act direct the Council as to the proportion of tho administrative costs to he allocated to each riding, and if so on wliat bases?—Section 115 docs not, nor docs 'any other section direct the Council as to the proportion of the administrative costs to ho allocated to each riding, where general rates only are levied (2) If no such direction is given, can the Council legally make any adjustments of such expenses as may he mutually agreed upon by tlie Council as a- whole?—The Council cannot legally make any adjustment of such expenses except as regards separate rates. (3) AVhat is the interpretation of section 146 in this respect?—Section 146 refers to any surplus (where general rates aro struck) -of the general rates plus license fees *and other County income, left after payment of office expenses, statutory contributions, and upkeep of all County roads and bridges.