A BILL FOR THE CITY

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 18, 21 July 1934, Page 8

A BILL FOR THE CITY

The Hutt County Council has approved a draft BUI for introduction to Parliament, to abolish rating exemptions within the Hutt County except on land vested in his Majesty the King and buildings, with their sites, used exclusively for Divine worship. This alteration would1 be far-reaching. With the provision that is further proposed that all lands shall be valued irrespective of their use, it would involve an extremely heavy rate demand against Wellington City Council (owner of Williams Park and Wainui waterworks reserve) against private schools and against owners of spoils grounds

other than those used for trotting and racing. The Hutt County Council is certainly in a worse position in respect of rating exemptions than most other similar bodies, though it has something to set off against this. If it does not collect rates from the waterworks reserve or Williams Park it is not required to maintain roads within those reserves. But such a problem cannot be dealt with after casual? consideration or in a Bill which applies only to a limited area. If Hutt County is under a special disability because of its propinquity to Wellington and its suburbs, >Vellihgton itself is under a similar disability because it is the seat of Government. As the Ratepayers' Association stated the other day, the exemptions of Government-occupied property other than Parliament Buildings, Government House, and schools involves a rate loss of £25,000 a year to the city. The problem as a. whole is one which might be considered by a local government commission, if one is ever appointed.