COUNTY RATES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5299, 13 July 1928, Page 2

COUNTY RATES.

DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL.

INCREASE FOR THREE RIDINGS

The question of -tr.iking the general rate over the Ohinemuri County was discussed at yesterday’s, meeting of the council.

A return showed that the; new valuations of the seven ridings in the county, with the old. valuation in parentheses, are as follows :— Paeroa riding, £141,745 (£144,865) ; Karangahakc, £39,350 (£40,413) ; Waikino, £59,435 (£47,587) ; Waitekauri, ’£33,304 (£25,086) ; Kaimanawa, £182,745 (£192,911) ; Mangaiti, £126.852 (£107,870) ; Waihi, £115,495 (£69.730). The total increase over the whole county is. £70,464. The decrease in tlie Paeroa and Karangahake ridings, is not sp great as it appears, and is. accounted for by the decrease in mining activities, whfle the increase in Waikino and Waitekauri ridings is really greater Gian is apparent on account of the fact that the rural lands, have; made such progress, and the rates; have increased to an extent beyond what has been lost, by areas of mining land being resumed by the Crown. After the position, had been reviewed at length the chairman (Mu H'. ■M. Corbett) said it wasi his painful duty to move that the general rate in the; county be increased to 2d. Cr. Johnstone said that he and Cr. Hubbard had no objection to the rate in the Paeroa riding; being increased to 2d provided the %d increase was expended on main' highways. Objection to an Increase of one ,%d in the Mangaiti riding was made by Cr. C. Mace, who contended that when the rate was l%d it had provided sufficient money for all maintenance in that riding, and still left a credit balance. Cr. Morrison said he did not object to a-general increase of %d, but he polluted out certain anomalies that existed in the different, ridings. In fairness to the ratepayers in the Kaimanawa riding he would move as an amendment that there be. no increase in the rate for the- Kaimanawa riding, and that it remain at

Seconded by Cr. Mace. Cr. John,stope said that, the position was, really getting serious for ratepayers. The Government was collecting a petrol tax, and now the ratepayers were called ‘.upon to contribute at'i'll further. He did. not agree with concentration on main highways while the subsidihry roads, were rapidly deteriorating to the perlons detriment of primary producers, who were the principal ratepayers. The chaiman l explained, that the expenditure on the main highways required an increase of between 30' and 40 per cent. No one was-, more opposed to increasing the rates than he was, but it was. necessary to provide sufficient revenue to meet fair expenditure. He could not be accused of advocating increased expenditure on main highways. Although the 2d rate might appear excessive ip some of the ridings,- ratepayers should bear in mind that it yas preferable to pay a little mor,e by way. of a general rate thaiii submit to a special rate being levied. With the extra money accruing from a 2d rate it was, confidently expected that there would be more money available for the side roads. The council had also expended a fa'ir sum on plant and 1 machinery, but much of that would be non-recurring. If -the; council would not. agree to the increase, then the proposed expenditure would have to be reduced ; and after careful consideration he failed to see how any more of the work could be neglected. Roads, had to be kept up to a standard, apdi if the council had had to reconstruct the Waihi highway a heavy expenditure, necessitating the striking of a special rat.e, would have been necessary.

Cr. Mace asked that; the Mangaiti riding be iinclucje;d in Qr. Morrison’s amendment.

Cr. Mason said he felt sure that, the extra money was necessary, and while Sympathising with the ratepayers, he saw no help for the increase, and felt sure that, the money would be> spent judiciously. To Cr. Morrison the chairman, said that in fairness to the other, hidings he- did not think it would be fain to reduce the rate 'n the Mangaiti and Kaimanawa ridings- to l%d. He would appeal to t'he councillors for their Views;.

Cr. Hands said he had more sympathy for Kalhmnawa than he had for Mangaiti, which had a main 'highway right through it.

■After a lengthy discussion the amend,ment w,as, withdrawn, and on the motion of the chairman St was resolved to reduce the rate in Kaimanaw'a and Mangaiti. ridings to l%d and that in the Paeroa, Waihi, WaiteMauri, Waikino, and Karangahake ridings the rate be 2d.