MANAWATU EVENING SATANDARD. Circulation,32,00 Copies Daily- THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1906. THE BOROUGH VALUATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8191, 17 May 1906, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING SATANDARD. Circulation,32,oo Copies DailyTHURSDAY, MAY 17, 1906. THE BOROUGH VALUATIONS.

Thk valuation.-' for the Palmer^ton Borougli have not yet been received by the Count.*:!, and the delay ha> eau&ed meonveriiente which, so far a<

can he seen at present, h likely to continue for some tmie longer. On making inquiries to-day, we were informed that the Borough Council had already cominuuieaied with the Department on the subject, the reply being of an altogether uu.-u'.isf.-'i-tory nature. "Not available yet," was the burden of the official communication. The Department further intimated, that eu?n when the figures an- forwarded they are not for public use until permission is given. The sitting of the Assessment Court, so it is said, had also been adjourned till June 22nd. In the meantime an unfortunate position has arisen in regard to Borough finances. Last year's rates have all been collected, and probably spent, while no more money from this source is slowing into the municipal coffers. The Borough Council has approved of the estimates for the coming year hut is absolutely unable to get any further in the matter. The valuations net being to hand the rates cannot l<struek, and m many other ways operations are interfered with. The most important result of the dtday, however, is in regard to the Borough overdraft. No money coming in from rates all this time and the ordinary expenses continuously going on, funds of course have to be provided. The only way this can be done is by increasing the overdraft, which, of course, means extra expense in the matter of mU'resi:. So that not only docs the making of a new valuation d i rec tly cost the Borough money, but by its indirect influences it increases the burden on

the ratepayers. It is regrettable that the Department cannot be compelied to furnish the valuations during the month of April in earh year. Time after time applications have been made for the early return of the valuation roll so as (o enable tin* rates lo be struck, but each year unsuccessfully. The only remedy seems to he legislation, and in the interests of loaal bodies generally it is hoped the Government: will move in the matter next session. In the meantime the only one beneficially affected is I the Bank. So far as the Palmerston Borough is concerned a curious state of aiTairs would have arisen if at the beginning ot the present financial year the overdraft had been up to ifs legal limit. No money coming in would have meant thai wages and maintenance charges could not have been paid, and the Council would have found itself involved in serious financial diffk'ulties.