INCREASED RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 193, 15 August 1911, Page 7

INCREASED RATES.

COMPLAINTS AT GREY LYNN. Since the rates notices have been issued in Grey Lynn the ratepayers, who did not take the trouble to object to the recent advance in the valuations of their properties, have been somewhat surprised at the sharp increase in the rates.' A letter was read at the meeting of th« Grey Lynn Borough Council last night from Mr. George Johnstone 1 , who complained that the rate on a vacant section on the Lyndkurst Estate showed an increase of 17/4.

The Mayor (Mr. W. Murray) said there did seem some glaring increases in the valuations of some properties in the borough. A case had been brought under his notice where the rate last year waß £1 14/, as compared with £9 16/9 the amount demanded this time. He considered that was a fruitful rise in one year.

Mr. T. L. Thompson: Was that property properly valued previously? The Mayor said he knew of another case where a house let at 15/ per week and another at 10/ per week side by side in the same street, and were both valued about the same. Mr. Tattersfield said the Council had no power to alter the valuations. Mr. Thompson pointed out the time to object was past, when the valuator was prepared to meet the objectors. Mr. Garland said the case instanced by the Mayor was a rise of 500 per cent.

The Mayor said since the rate noticed had been issued he had walked home rpther than face the music in the trams. (Laughter.) The letter was referred to the Finance Committee. Mr. Tattersfield said the Finance Committee would require to sit for a week if it was to deal with the complaints regarding increased rates.