RATING RELIEF

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1932, Page 8

RATING RELIEF

FARMLANDS IN BOROUGHS

AN AMENDING BILL

WELLINGTON, November 15

Owners and occupiers cf extensive areas of land' in .• boroughs and cities will be affected bj the proposals of the Urban farmland Rating Bill which was introduced in the House to-day. The Bill differs in several important matters from the measure which was introduced in 1929, but not' proceeded ,v itir, the original proposals for classification of land having been dropped. Tliej np'w Bill provides that occupiers of any piece of urban farmland containing not, less than three acres', which is-liable to be rated separately-;: by tire counil, may apply to the council for the preparation of a farmland list for the borough. On receipt pf an application the council shall prepare ix farmland list which is to contain particulars of (a) all pieces of urban farmland containing not les s than three acres which are liable ' o be rated separately by the council and (b) all pieces of urban farmland containing less than three acres which are liable to be rated separately by th e council, and which are included in the iarmland roll (if any) for the time be.ng in force in the borough, or (if there is no such roll in force) in respect ol which arir entry- of special rateable Value is made in the valuation 101 l for the time being in force. Particulars an the • farmland list, other than special rateable value, are to be taken ; from the valuation roll.'- • MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION,' It- will be for the council to decide whether or not' the rateable value of properties' included' in the farmland list should ■be reduced after 'taking jnto consideration the following specific matters: (a) Whether the rates pay. able by the'occupier are excessive or unduly burdensome ; (b) municipal services available to the property; (c) incidence' of special and separate' rates in the borough and of rates levied by or •on behalf ' of ■ rating authorities other than the Council; ,(u) whether arty reduction would be likely'to impose ah undue burden of rates on other ratepayers of the borough or any of them, and (e) - any alteration of ' rateable value since, the valuation roll came: into force. >';• • •

The amount of rateable value of a property decided on by the council is to bo entered in the farmland list as the special rateable value of the property. The list is to be open to the inspection of ratepayers, and those ratepayers whose properties are included are to bo notified of the particulars of their property. • The list is to, remain open at 'the office of the council, for a period of tweny-pnb days in order to give affected persons an opportunity of entering objections Alter hearing objections the . Assessment Court' may alters the farmland |ist, which will then become the farmland roll for the district. The roll is to become part of the valuation roll for ''rating purposes. If while the, farmland roll is in force a new valuation roll isi, made for the borough or the system of ratiljg in'the borough is altered a pew farmland roll is to be made for, the borough. LESS THAN THREE ACRES.

Occupiers, of, any peiece of urban' farm land 1 containing less than three actfis, which is liable to be rated separately by >the courlcil, are to have the'right to apply to the council for a reduction m the rateable value of such land. It will then be for the council to decide whether or not the rateable value of the land should be reduced. Notice of the council’s decision is to be given to the ; applicant and to every other person having an interest in the ’property, and those affected are to have the right to object within twenty-one days. Objections are to be heard by a Magistrate, who is to have all, the powers of an Assessment Court. Parof the amended rateable value are to be entered on the roll. , Power is given to the council tq increase the special rateable value’ of proper! ies on the roll, but not to! an amour c greater than the ordinary rate, able value, and those affected are to have the same rights of r paction as outlined abo¥e.“