THAMES BOROUGH

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1931, Page 3

THAMES BOROUGH

EINANCIAL DIFFICULTY. RATE OF 3s IN POUND. £15,000 ALREADY OUTSTANDING , THAMES, August 25. Considerable concern was ex pro. sod when the Thames Borough Council announced that it had been found necessary to strike a rate of 3s in. the £ for the ensuing year. Last year’s rate was Is 7d an<] 17-40 d, which many fate, payers were unable to pay. Only ‘ 75 per cent, of the- amount struck was collected.

Owing to the depression- many ratepayers are this year in a wor e position to meet even a reasonable rate, and now tliat it has been iEcieused 3s in the £ there is a possibility that the defaulters’ list Will be considerably .swelled. The reason for the increase in the rate is the extraordinary' decrease in the value of properties, following a recent valuation by the Valuation Department, and the a ecu,mill atiion of outstanding rates.for the la.st three years,’ amounting to £15,000. The financial position of the borough has also given the‘council much concern, and the Mayor, Mr S. Efnsor, and Mr S. C. Muir, a councillor, have made two trips to Wellington a.nd placed the position before the Government and the heads of financial institutions. It is understood that as the: result of the Mayor’s visit an officer will shortly visit Thames and go thoroughly i : to tiie matter.