LEVYING RATES.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 781, 19 June 1877, Page 3

LEVYING RATES.

Sib, — I see several district boards are already striking rates for their successors to spend ; kind and considerate no doubt on their part, tho igh perhaps there may be just a chance that the incoming boards would prefer levying their rate themselves. And it would seem to outsiders the most natural oourse for those who are responsible for the local pubiio works duriug their year of office to have some voice in the amount of rate levied, to raise the necessary fusds. \lt seems to mo thesekbjpardsiliaxe no authority for their actJon.'^^t^lSSf^rtrte, it is not in accordance with tfie- sgia^. pf ' the Highways Act, 1874, under wljicßTirtr mqat^bp remembered all highway district rates ajfiT aa yet struck,, the Rating Act of last session merely prescribing tho modus opcrandi, ns there is no clause of that Act, as far as I know,,actually authorising any public body to strike a rate. A rate ly\| been levied for the year ending 80th iJuner 1877, and now the Trustees of th'e'Hamilton. Weflt District are levying one for the . 'year ending 31st Ma>ch, 1878,' thus, causing a double rate to be levied for the three mouths ending 30th June, 1877, for which I apprehend they have uo authority. - I am aware thia could be got over -by levying the rate for the nine months, from the Ist; July to 31st March ; though why they fix tho 3 1st March, when the Boards will still be clecte.l for the year ending some time iu July of the same year, I am at a loss to find out.

The 35bh and 36th clauses of the Rating Act merely provides in effect that the Act? shall como into force on that date. Tue Raogiaohia and Kihikihi Boar Is have followed s.wifc, excepS in the matter of dates, probably thinking tihey could nol do better thaa profit by the example of a B <ard presided over by a genfleawu of the long robe, and consequently of legal lore, bub I am afraid it • will he the old sbory of the blind leadiug tho blind.

But, I do no 1 ; think it ev r could bo intended for an expiring B JA.rtl tj l«vy the rate jaab before leaving office, for the next. one to spenH. Ib semni like grasping ab the powers which properly bnlong i» their successors', 'and I am much mistaken if their constituencies will th ink them Cor their haste.

If I atn not correct in my reading of tha Act, I will be very much obliged to any oiie who will explain to me under what authority or principle these rat«s ■■ havd%een struck by the outgoing Boards. ..— lam,"&c, Edward GK McMinn.