POSITION CLARIFIED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 396, 3 December 1932, Page 6

POSITION CLARIFIED

DEPT. TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNPAID NATIVE RATES j For some time past, the position | with regard to the payment or nonpayment of rates upon native-owned sections has;. been the source of considerable trouble to the Opotiki and to many other county eouncils, but the position has now been much clarified as the result of a letter received from the Under-Secretary of Native Affairs couched in the following terms: — "Your letter of October 22 regarding the rates on the leasehold aequired by the Native Department from Mrs. Ferguson has been referred to me. There hasi not, so far as I am aware', been any suggestion ( from this department that the property in question should be declared "Crown lands" or "non-Rateable," and I have always advised that the rates are payable. But you will realise that the Audit Department has the last say in all these matters. If you will forward the claim for rates through the Waiariki Maori Land Board, the voucher will be passed for payment in due course. This refers to cases where the Crown acquires leaseholds. Where it acquires the freehold, the Act itself excludes such from the definition of rateable property." The County Clerk (Mr. J. T. Merry) reported that when a demand had been sent out for the rates on a native seetion, the demand note had been returned. Following the receipi: of the letter from the Native Department the demand for rates had been made again with a note attached saying that the Under-Secretary had advised that it would be paid.