OPITIKI COUNTY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1928, Page 7

OPITIKI COUNTY

SHARP BATE INCREASES. OPOTIKI, Sept. 19. The Opotiki County Council held a special meeting to-day to consider the postion created by the recent valuation of the county by the Valuation Department. It was decided to strike the following rates :—Ohiwa riding, 6£d ; Waiotahi, 6Vd; Waioeka, 3d; Upper Waioeka, 16d; Otara, 11; Coast I7d. The total rate to he collected is £11,750. Last year’s rates were respectively 3ld. 3J-d, 3d, 4d, and 3)d; total, £13.045. The new valuations have created an extraordinary position. A great part of Opotiki oounty consists of third land, and the valuation of this land has been reduced in some instances from £1 to 2s 6d per acre on the unimproved valuation. The result n* that as the same amount of money must be raised for the proper functioning of the council the extra burden will have to he borne by the first and second class lands. As it is impossible to differentiate in rating within the various ridings the first class lands suffer seriously. The valuation of the Const riding lias been reduced from £196.000 to £34,000. The Woodlands soldier settlement will be heavily hit by the new rates. Many owners of first and second class lands will be unable to pay the demands.

At the present time the council’s overdraft is at the limit, and drastic redactions in expenditure will he necessary to meet the position, especially as the new rate will bring in nearly £2OOO less than last year. Although the extraordinary position dias been placed before the Ministers, of Lands and of Public Works the council has not yet received a reply.