NEW CITY RATES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10615, 14 June 1920, Page 5

NEW CITY RATES

A PECULIAR POSITION BATE STRUCK SAID TO EXCEED LEGAL -MAXIMUM. A REVIEW PR OB A RLE. It is understood that the now rate struck bv the City Council on Thursday evening last of 3d in tho £ on the unimproved value of property is in excess of the amount permitted bylaw to he struck. It is said that a threepenny rate would be in excess of tho maximum permitted under the legislation. and that the council may he culled upon to review the rate adopted. A “Times” representative last evening sought confirmation of such a curious omission on the part of the council; while the rumour was not denied, no definite information upon the point was vouchsafed, but the fact is that the maximum allowed by law has "been —so it is alleged—exceeded, and a general review will he necessary. The city solicitor, Mr J. O’Shea, Wated that he had not yet personally looked into the. legal aspect, of tho matter, and he was not therefore prepared to make a statement. Tho Town Clerk, Mr J._ R. Palmer, declined to express tin opinion on the Subject in the absence of the Mayor, -who would probably be able to make a statement upon his return to town. At the last council meeting, in referring to tho new rate proposed, tho Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) said that tho increase on the, amount of tho general rate ovor last year, at 3d, instead of 24d in the £,'would he £24,400. The reason for this was mainly the increases in wages and salaries and in the cost of materials. If the rate was increased by one-tenth of a penny, it would mean an additional revenue of £4893: and if it was increased by three-tenths of a penny, there would be an increased revenue of £14,679. But he thought they should increase it by Id. It was, he urged, necessary to get the rate struck and given effect to without delay. so that tho rate notices could be sent out at once. The hospital and charitable aid rate was to be increased from bid to 6(d on the annual value, and was estimated to produce in round figures £3-5,000 this year, as against £28,000 last year, or an increase of £7OOO.