HARBOUR BOARD RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 16, 20 January 1892, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD RATES.

The Finance Committee of the Auckland Harbour Board, to which was referred the matter in dispute betwoen that body and the City Council re payment of rates on certain properties, the Committee having obtained from the Board's solicitors their opinion, referred the whole question to the Board. Messrs Russell and Campbell having obtained a copy of the judgment of the Court in the case of the Wellington City Council against the Wellington Harbour Board, heard at the last sittings of the Court of Appeal, now gave it as their opinion that "bucli of the lands comprised in the schedule of rates for £537 3s 3d are liable to be rated if the reclamation has been made merely for the purpose of improving the land for letting purposes, and not being part of a scheme for the improvement, management and protection of the harbour. As lo the other schedule of rates, amounting to ±.'37 lis 2d, arrears for 1889-90, they are not now recoverable, tho time within which they may be recovered having elapsed, and tho Board would, if it paid them, have no romedy over against the tenants." The Chairman said it appeared tho Board had an amount to pay for rates which they did not expect. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Finance and Legal Committee with a view to fix the amount to be paid by the Board.