What is a Ratepayer

Manawatu Herald, 27 July 1899, Page 2

What is a Ratepayer

A correspondent has writted to v* (Po3t) /several qnestibns. on municipal mitten?, aad as the answers maybe of interest toothers the questioner; we append the queries with their replies: — 1. What is a ratepayer ? A parson who pays rates 2. What is a burgee ? A parson qualified to ha ire his or her name placed on the bargess roll of a borough. 8 Are both the same ? No. A person can be a bargess without being a ratepayer. He may bo entitled to enrolment by virtue >f a residential qualification — i c, having been m occupation of a bouse, warehouse, offioa, shop, or oth>r building, for three months, and paying not lees than £10 per year. 4. On a poll being taken re the City Council borrowing- money for municipal purposes, can a ratepayer or a burgoss vote on the question ? A ratepayer can. By the Municipal Franchise R form Act, a person having only the " residential" qualification is prohibited from voting on any question of loans or rates. 5. I-t a burgess entitled to be enrolled as-a member of the lending department of the Public Library on payment of the fee (2< 6d) and signing the necessary book or paper required— i.e., can a burgess obtain the benefits of that department ? Ye.". 6. I* it true fhat tha only privilege a bargess has (one who has been duly enrolled) is> to have a vote on the election of Councillors and Mayor? If so, what is the --"object of the extension of the Municipal Franchise? He possesses all the privileges of a ratepayer except that of voting upon loans or rates.