No relief for wild life society

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 263, 15 November 1988, Page 3

No relief for wild life society

The Waimarino Acclimatisation Society' s application to be given a rates remission has been turned down by the council finance committee.

Councillors were told that they had no power to remit rates to the Society under the Rating Act 1967. The district manager said in his recommendation that the Act was very specific about the types of organizations that could legally be given rates remissions and that the Waimarino Acclimatisation Society was not provided for. He said the Act does not give the council a broad power to remit rates. Mayor Workman told the committee that the Society had very few assets and that its income roughly amounted to the rates it paid. He said the Society is very helpful to the area in regard to trout fishing and were involved in all aspects of wildlife. Before hearing the district manager's recommendation Mayor Workman said he believed that because the council was prepared to lower rates for other organizations, it should do so for the Society. Councillor Bennett suggested the Society could sell the land and buy a smaller property thus be liable for a smaller rate demand. Councillor Gould said if

the Society sold its property the council could then look at

offering the Society premises to use for its meetings. Following the discussion on the rates remission Councillor Gould said she would like to see the Society

get some form of council assistance and Mayor Workman suggested the council make a donation. Councillor Griffiths suggested making a donation to the Society

would be seen as a way to get around the Act. Finally, Councillor Thompson suggested the Mayor approach the Society to discuss the matter further, which he agreed to do.