COUNTY RATES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8462, 12 June 1907, Page 5

COUNTY RATES.

- GENERAL RATE INCREASED. The Masterton County Council, yesterday afternoon, discussed the question of the general rate for the coming year. The Chairman (Cr C. E. CockburnHood) moved that the general rate be increased to |d. He said that in the past the work in the County had been hampered for want of funds. The district was now enjoying prosperous times, and if the ratepayers wanted works carried out, as he knew they did, it meant that the general rate would have to be increased. Even if a |d rate was struck, this year, the general revjenue would tall nearly £1,500 short'of the Engineer's estimate. \> Cv Kebbell seconded the motion. Cr Welch opposed the motion. Ho said the ridings of Opaki, Te Whiti and Ranigturaau represented nearly half the capital value of the County. Land in these ridings was "more valuable than in any of the other ridings. and if the rate was increased it meant a great hardship to the landholders. If the Council increased the rate, the only, thing he could do be to place the matter before / ihe ratepayers of his riding. He said that it would not be fair to penalise half the County for the sake of the other half. He moved, as an amendment, that a general rate of §d in the £ be struck. Cr Colquhoun seconded the amendment, which was lost, only Crs Welch, Harris, Morris, and Colquhoun voting for it. The motion was carried. On the motion of Cr Toogood, seconded by Cr Beetham, a separate rate of id in the £ wa3 struck over the Wainuioru riding.