COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1065, 27 July 1883, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the above Council, for the purpose of striking a rate of in the £, was held at their offices on Wednesday last. There were present Ors Horner (Chairman). Foreman, Sullivan, Bridge, Durie, and Taylor. It was proposed by the Chairman, and, seconded by Cr Bridge, “ That a rate of in the £ be struck for the year ending 31st March, 1884, on the basis of the Property Tax Valuations, as supplied by Government, and that the same be payable in one instalment on the 2nd August, 1883, at the offices of the County Council, Patea.”

Cr Darie moved as an amendment “ That the words ‘ in one instalment on the 2nd August, 1883,’ be struck out for the purpose of inserting ‘ in two equal instalments on the 2nd August, 1883, and the 2nd January, 1884,’ ” Cr Morgan seconded. Cr Bridge did not agree with the amendment. It would cost as much to the Council to collect each half of the rate as it would to collect the whole rate if it.were paid in one instalment. He did not much wish to be hard on the ratepayers, but he wanted to get the balance at the bank on the right side. , Cr Foreman quite agreed with Cr Bridge. He had formed one of a deputation to the Bank some time ago, when it was promised that the Council’s overdraft should be reduced in six months, five . months of which had already passed. Cr Sullivan' supported Cr Dario’s amendment, which, on being put, was lost, and the original resolution carried'. Some other matters were discussed by the Council, but were left over for settlement nnti the ordinary meeting.