The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 1922. COUNTY RATING.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 1922. COUNTY RATING.

Mork than the usual interest was taken this year in the striking of tho annual County rate. Doubtless this was because of tho now valuation which took effect from the Ist. April. The figures published in regard to tho valuation do not disclose a. very substantial increase. Over the whole County the increase amounts to only £172,340. The total of the new valuation is in tlic region of three quarters of a million which is certainly not a large amount for a. district of the area of the Westland County. For instance, the capital value of Buffer County is nearly twice that of Westland, while Murchison exceeds the Westland County, as does ajso Grey County, though tho

arena of those three comities are substantially smaller than Westland. IrianI gahua County which is only about a sixth of the size of Westland has a capital Value of near £600,000. These comparative figures appear to suggest that the Westland County valuation is certainly oil the low side-. Fiirther continuing the comparison between the counties, the rate per pound levied in Westland is invariably lower than that obtaining in the other Coast counties. The latest local bodies statistics available, 1019-20, show that the rate per pound in the Grey County was double that of Westland, while in the Itiang.ihun County the rate per pound ranged up to 4|d, per pound. In the two most northern colinties rating On unimproved values is in voghe, but even on that incidence the balance would be substantially iii favour of Westland. The deduction from this is that the administration within the Westland Comity mukt he more economical. The new rate struck this week is a farthing less in tW pound than the former rate. The reduction is equal to one ninth but while there lias been an in--crease in tho valuations as effecting general property, there has been a decrease in the mining property valuations, But for this decrease it would have been possible ilo doubt to make rt further reduction in the rate per pound. As it is, the readjustment of ttie rate levy, will give the Council an increase of £568 in rate revenue. In a report to the Council the Treasurer pointed out that with the curtailment of government grants, coupled with the fact that excess of overdraft is not permitted by jaw now, the Council will fully require the extra revenue t<> carry on with safety. No doubt the present is the most stringent year of late, and when ft passes there will ho n hotter opportunity of reviewing the position. The councillors are hopeful of making "h further reduction next year. These hopes were founded on the possibilities of reducing tile hospital levy, which is responsible for more than three farthings of the general rate. If the expectations are realised a reduction by at least a farthing in tho pound should be possible. The ratepayers should note in particular that the demands for money for hospitals maintenance swallows up a very substantial portion of tile general rates, and that the administration of that expenditure is outside the direction of the Count-v Council. Mr Jeffries, County Chairman, who is also a member of tho Hospital Board, noted the point just mentioned, and stated that with economies now’ being brought about gradually the hopes for a reduction in the hospital lory were fairly well founded. No doubt, also. the question of differential rating will now ho brought into vogue, and when this comes to pass the County Council members will require to watch local requirements carefully, as flic local rates will have to meet local needs and the greater the demand for work the larger must l>e the riding rate collected. This will be a useful break on expenditure no doubt, and when the system is put into practice the ratepayers as a whole should receive some relief in local taxation.