RATING ON THE UNIMPROVED VALUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3777, 16 November 1907, Page 2

RATING ON THE UNIMPROVED VALUE.

Poll Carried by a Substantial Majority.

Very little interest, except by opponents, was centered in the poll to adopt rating on the unimproved value in the borough during the early part of Thursday. Up to four o’clock only 70 odd ratepayers had recorded their votes. Altogether 143 ratepayers recorded their votes out of a rate roll of 385. One hundred and four voted in favour of adopting the new system, 36 against, and three informal. It will be seen that the new system was adopted by a majority of about three th one. When the poll was taken in June 20th, 1902, it was lost by 98 votes to 53, informal four. The total number of votes recorded on that occasion was 155, 12 more than was recorded at Thursday’s poll. During the campaign there was no bitterness apparent on either side. The majority can see that the correct thing has been done, and in fact it is only a question of time when this form of rating will be adopted by every local governing body throughout the dominion. We heartily congratulate the ratepayers on the success of the poll, and we feel sure that when the opponents of the new system come to work out the whole principle, they will admit that rating on the unimproved is one of Foxton’s most progressive steps. We hope before long to hear the people asking for a poll for other benefiical purposes. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., in a private letter to a local resident writes: “I was quite delighted on receiving a wire telling me of the success of the rating on the unimproved values poll. I lost no time in telling my friend, Mr Stevens, and the result was quickly travelling round the House which was sitting at the time. The majority proves that Foxton has an enlightened and progressive population, and I am satisfied that this achievement will give a big impetus to the growth and prosperitjr of your town and district.”