ROTORUA COUNTY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 298, 11 August 1932, Page 6

ROTORUA COUNTY

council meeting POSSIBLE WITHDRAWAL OF PRESENT RATE SUBSIDY DERATING OF FARM LANDS The usual monthly meeting of the Rotorua County Couneil was held yesterday the following being present, Crs. II. P. Ford (chairman), A. L. Keith, J. E. Martin and A. L. Smyth. Bifore the commencement of general business the chairman moved that a motion of condclence with Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P.,. and family in the reqeut death of Mrs. Clinkalrd he passed, this being carried in silence. In a letter from the assistant engineer, Public Woi'ks Department, regarding maintenanoa work on th'e Ro-torua-Cambridge main highway from Ngongotaha to the county boundary, it was stated that certain improvernents v/ould be carried out on the highway and the council decided that the county engineer be instructed to assist with unemployed labour on the work. Aeknowledging receipt of the council's resolution regarding rate subsidies, the Hon. C. E. Macmillian, Minister of Public Works, advised that there was no possibility of increasing the rate as desired by the Matamata County Council and he considered that in all probability the Government would this year be unable to allow the subsidy of 12S per cent. previously granted. It was decided that the member for the district be asked closely to watch the position as regards the 121 per cent. rebate, and that ne endeavour to secure the continuation of the subsidy. In .appointing Crs. A. L. Keith and J. E." Martin as the council's delegates at a conference to be held at Hamilton on August 23- for the purpose of the Jiscussion of the question of derating of rural lands, the chairman moved the following resolution as a direction to them at the conference. "That this council is of the opinion that partial derating of farm lands s at present desirable, and that to nake this possible, the petrol tax should be suflScient to allow an all.'ound reduction of one-third on the genvral rates levied on rural lands. I'he resolution was carried. In conneetion with a letter from the certifying officer. Unemployment Board for the Rotorua district (Mr. A. M. Rcbertson) advising that after \ugust 14 all refunds for sustenance ,>f relief workers under the No. 5 relief scheme must be approved by him4 th ) council agreed to conform with the instruction. Mr. Ford said that there was no doubt that the scheme had been abused .aind that more control was necesary owing to the limiled finances :jva:lable. He said that when a favmr's application was approved he should be required to put forward a defmite tahle oi work necessary and that if this work was not done the \vo ker voul! he taken from the t'arm. In doubtful c'jses the mattev would be th 1 subject of an inspection by the Fields Inspector of the Lands Department.