BOROUGH OF HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2544, 30 October 1888, Page 2

BOROUGH OF HAMILTON.

TO THK KIHTOK. Sir,—ln yourMssue of the 25th inst., there appears an advertisement signed by the Town Clerk-, stating that sections 22 to 01 iif the Kilting Act, ISS2, are to be adopted in t!>e Borough of Hamilton. There is no information Riven, either in the advertisement or your report, of the last meeting of the Borough Council, as to the meaning ~f these clauses of the Rating Act, and us burgesses generally are ni.t acquainted with the" details of the ponderous legislative machinery which constitutes our system of local self-government, y»u will confer a favour i.ii the burgesses by explaining thu renl meaning of the alteration that is bump; made. There is a strong suspicion in the minds of many of the burgesses that there is more in tins than meets the eye, and that perhaps ratepayers who, owing to adverse circumstances and depressed times, have been unable to pay their rates, may be put to heavy expense in Court and lawyer's. . fees. At any rate the Lxplanatinn and reasons for bringing this Act into operation may allay the feeling of distrust that at present exists, and if the Council really intend to force struggling people to pay the small arrears of rates they owe, I would suggest that they should begin by enforcing the agreement deliberately entered into last year re the baths, by which the borough : would have received a small interest on the , ridiculous and expensive outlay incurred. — '. I am, Sir. : Hamilton East. [The most important features of these ' clauses refer to the mode of procedure in ' the recovery of rates due to local todies. 1 Any person who fails to pay rates, for ' which he is liable, within fourteen days of ' receipt of demand therefore, can be sued by the person authorised to collect. The ' invalidity of any rate as a whole is no defence in any action against a defaulter. 1 Several of the clauses define the position uf occupier and owner as regards payment ■ of rates. No judgment can be given for rates after two years from the timethey 1 were first due. " Then follow provisions ' for dealing with absent or unknown per- ' sons liable fur rates. Power is given for the remission, wholly or in part, of rates ' on the grounds of poverty, illnees or other ' causes satisfactory to the local body. If ' judgment is not satisfied the local autho--1 rities must notify the Public Trustee, who forthwith serves a notice on the defaulter, ' and, after six months, may sell the pro--1 perty il rates are still unpaid. The remaining clauses refer to the mode of ' selling, and the action the Public Trustee ' shall takn in apportioning the proceeds of 1 the sale, and transferring the property ' sold; and, finally, that creditors of a ' local body may appoint a Receiver to ' collect rates, on the payment ot which ' principal or interest of anv sum is secured. ' The Rating Act Amendment Act of 18So '■ substitutes the Registrar of the Supreme Court for the Public Trustee in the former 1 or principal Act.—Ki). W.T.]