HUTT RIVER BOARD.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 39, 6 March 1930, Page 7

HUTT RIVER BOARD.

A deputation was received from the Petone Payers of Hutt River Board Bates Committee in reference to rating of the Eastern Area from William St., to the river. Mr Nofble stated that the considered the whole of the flat area should be rated as'his district was paying rates to protect the other, part of Petone. _He pointed out that the Eas- - tern end was on a higher level than the resit of Petone. TJie rates from ,tlhe Petone area were approximately £400.

Mt. Williams pointed out that serious anomalies existed in connection with the Toting and cited one instance where a section had been subdivided

and two houses erected at £750 and £500. respectively, whiJst their respective rates amounted to 15/8 6n\ one toouße and 1/10 on bhe other. Other similar cases were also mentioned by him. Continuing he said that when the Board, was first formed a commission was set iip and the larger part of Petoiies was exempted from rating in -eon-

sideration of the erection of a stop bank. This, bank has since been remov- «-• ed and-.loaves-blie larger part of Peton® exposed to tfoe dangers of flood. Originally the amount of rates •coHeeteo' in the Pefcon© area were £40, whereas they had now increased to £400 without any proportionate increase in benefit. Tb.% , Petone Borough Council had declined 'his Committee's request tlhat the whole of the rates .should be paid by that body and whilst sympathetic did not take any action to assist the ratepayers. He asked that a commission be set up to consider the whole question, or faSing tlhat to petition <2ie Governor-Gtene-ral to have the necessary legislatdoa passed to include the whole of P«tone io the yating area. • "■' »

Miv.Leighiton was of the opinion that nothing couM.be done without legislation being passed.

. Mr. Gostelow pointed out to .tihe deputation that the Board was merely a rating authority and "had no power to alter the rates or change the area. That was a matter -tihat rested with tike Valuation. Department.

Mr. TsToble said they considered, the whole district should be re-classified.

The chairman pointed out that tOre Board had no jurisdiction in t&e matter of rating areas, that .was a matteT/that was entirely controlled by the Valuation Department. Both members of the deputation referred to tlhe' state of the Western Aim of the river and said .that as the BoaTcJ was acting in the matter <. they were content to leave the t matter in abeyance. The chairman thanked the deputation for tike manner in wihich they had^ta-t----•ed their ease and promised t<hat the Board would fully eonsitler the matf«r they Bad brought forward.