The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, January 9, 1913. BEACH SECTION RATING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1048, 9 January 1913, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, January 9, 1913. BEACH SECTION RATING.

According to the Feildiug Star, “Manawatu County Councillors were not particularly pleased at the attitude taken up by a representative of section-holders iu Foxton beach, who complained bitterly of the action of the Council in claiming rates ou their holdings. It appears that for years these folk had lived rate-free, because the Valuation Department had not made any valuation of these Beach sections, but recentlj the valuation was made by the Departmental officers and, automatically, the rates were levied. In addition to these ordinary rates, however, there was the question ot the special rates for the loan for the construction of the road to the Beach. Before this road was made, the section-holders in question had a dreadful time in getting to their houses by way of the drifting sand. Indeed, some of them were prepared to pay almost any sum to get a decent road. The County Council hesitated before taking on the liability for the loan, and at meeting after meeting different points of view were considered, difficulties overcome, and at last the road is an accomplished fact, the maximum special rate levied being 15s per cottage. Yet, now there are complaints because the general rates are being collected in the same way as is done with settlers generally!” There is another side to this statement. The Beach section holders were of opinion that their sections, being leased from the Harbour Board and part of the Harbour Board endowment, were exempt from rates so far as the Mauawatu County is concerned. It appears, however, that the Beach sections are under dual control.