GREATER NEW PLYMOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 331, 5 March 1910, Page 2

GREATER NEW PLYMOUTH

IMPORTANT LEGAL ADVICE. TOWN CLERK'S OPINION CONFIRMED. At a meeting of ratepayers of St. Aiibvn township held some weeks ago to consider the question of coming into the borough of New Plymouth, several questions were put to the Mayor and Town Clerk as to the liability of the proposed addition to the borough in regard to loans and special rates already struck in the borough. The replies given to the questions are confirmed by an opinion which the Town Clerk has received from Mr. T. F. Martin, [counsel for the Municipal Association [of New Zealand. Mr. Martin's opinion is as follows:—(a) The area proposed to be added to the borough will not be liable for the special rate already struck over the borough; (b) the revenues of the new area will not, by reason of its coming into the borough, be charged with the loan; (e) on a poll being taken at a future date over the whole of the borough (including the added nvea) to consolidate loans, or to pay oil the loan in question, it woild, in mv opinion, be competent to the ratepayers to carry a proposal for makiiig a special rate over the whole of the borough as Security for the consolidated loan or for the loan to pay off the said loan in question, and such special rate could then be legally struck. (See Local Bodies' Loans Amendment Act, 1908, section IS.) In the meantime an adjustment can be made under the Municipal Corporations Act. section 127, and the regulations gazetted 1002, page 2001. j