BOROUGH MATTERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5145, 29 June 1927, Page 2

BOROUGH MATTERS.

RESULT OF TRIP TO WELLINGTON.

REPORT FROM THE MAYOR.

As a result of the trip to Wellington last week by His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) and' Cr. F. E. Flatt (chairman of the- Finance Committee) several matters affecting the borough were looked into. In a report to a special meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council held last night the Mayor referred to the question of the revaluation of the estate of Hoare’S property in Wharf Street, which had been the subject of the following resolution at the last meeting of the council t “With regard to new valuations, 193, "of .which advice has just been received from the Valuer-General under section 50 of the Valuation of Lands Act, 1925, wherein the value of land halving a frontage to Wharf Street of 126 ft 9in has been reduced from £BOO, or approximately £6 7s a foot, to £315, or approximately £2 10s a foot. The Paeroa Borough Council wishes to draw the attention- of the Valuer-General to the fact that the new valuation is absurdly low, and thta rating on that basis constitutes an injustice to the' other ratepayersTherefore we request the ValuerGeneral of his own motion to amend the valuations under the provisions of section 12 of the Act, and, further, that the attention of the Minister be drawn to the anomaly ha exists whereby a,, local body can object when a revision of values takes place or under section 12, but has no opportunity to object under section 50.”

The Mayor said that representations ■had been made to the Minister-in-Charge who had noted the council’s objection and representation. It was quite likely that good would come of it and the representations given effect to. UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE. Referring to the fact that the council had exceeded its authorised expenditure by £l5 18s, which had been brought about largely by the expenses incurred in- entertaining His Excellency the Governor-General and severaj Ministers of the Crown, the Mayor said that Cr. Flatt and he had made an effor to ha.ve the'expenditure validated. However, on discussing the matter with the officials in Wellington, it was evident that this could not be brought 4 about without creating a precedent. This the department was loathe to do, and the deputation agreed not to press the request. The Mayor remarked that it was unavoidable, and he wits afraid the councillors would be called upon to make good the amount at a later date. SALE OF DEBENTURES. The Mayor stated that an endeavour had been made while in- Wellington to dispose of debentures- totalling pgCfl in the Street Improvements Loan Account. It Was found that money was not easy to get, and in case there was difficulty in retching finality. However, the delegates had heard of one investor who was prepared to consider the matter, and it was anticipated that the council would receive a .definite reply during next week.