“STILL CORN IN EGYPT"

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1056, 21 August 1930, Page 7

“STILL CORN IN EGYPT"

DEVONPORT RATES PAID PROMPTLY REBATE AVAILED OF “There seems to be corn in Egypt yet,*’ remarked Mr. J. Hislop, De-puty-Mayor of Devonport, at a meeting of the Devonport Borough Council last evening, when reporting that 53.13 per cent, of the rates levied had been paid by August 16, the last day for claiming the 5 per cent, rebate on rates, which is allowed for prompt payment. In view of the financial conditions prevailing generally, the council considered that the payments reached a very satisfactory total: in fact, it has been exceeded only once in the six years that the rebate system has been operating. Mr. AleX. Harris, M.P., informed the council that he was endeavouring to secure amending legislation to the Rating Act to cover the situation that has arisen owing to the interpretation by the Appeal Court of Section 69 of the Act regarding rating on unimproved values. Several applications for reductions in rates, under the Court’s finding, were deferred. The Health Department invited the council to waive the provisions of the regulations concerning fees payable by drainlayers. Auckland City insists on drainlayers passing an examination, for which It charges a fee of £lO 10s, but does not collect an annual licence fee. All other local bodies waive the examination, but collect an annual fee of £ 1 so that some drainlayers have to take out as many as six different licenses. The council considered that it called for an amendment of the Act, and tho question was one for the Municipal Association to deal with. DIVERTING OUTLETS Requirements by the Health Department concerning the diverting of drainage outlets on to an arm of Ngataringa Bay, which the Melrose Park Committee has suggested should be reclaimed, were referred to the coun-cil-in-committee for consideration. The Devonport members of the committee controlling the North Shore rub - bish destructor, reported that the method of assessing Takapuna’s share of the cost was not fair to Devonport, and they had secured an adjustment of the accounts. The Hon. E. W. Alison offered a number of pohutukawa trees for planting in Lake Road. The offer was accepted. The council agreed to accept the patronage of the non-miltary club being formed by members of the former 35th Cadet Company at Devonport.