COMPARISON OF RATES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 43, 19 February 1913, Page 8

COMPARISON OF RATES.

(To the Editor “Stratford Post.”) Sir, —Mr Kirkwood questions the accuracy of the capital value of rateable property of the various borough; as set forth in the Official Year Book This volume is specially prepared b; the Government, from the most roll able sources for the particular pur pose of comparison, and while abso lute accuracy may bo impossible, i is always accepted as a basis for comparison and admitted to be correct. With reference to the recent re valuation of Stratford Borough, J should like to point out, that al though there was an increase of capital value, there was also an increas; in the gross amount of rates collectet and therefore the amount of rate; paid in the £ would not show anything like the difference stated by Mr Kirkwood.

1 have no wish to ho dogmatic in the matter, and I am quite content for the ratepayers to adopt which method of comparison pleases them best, now that both aspects have been placed before them, but I will venture to assert that if the loan is sanctioned and our debentures are placed on the market, lenders of money will give more consideration to the amount of rates paid in the £ than they will to the amount paid per head of ratepayers. One fact stands out clearly, viz., that the total amount of rates collected in Stratford was £.‘1300, and that interest and sinking fund on £42,000 at per cent, would amount to £2310. This is an increase of 70 per cent., and it must bo collected by means of increased rates.—T am, etc., J. 11. RICHARDS. February 10, 1913.