THAMES NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 17

THAMES NEWS.

NEW BOROUGH VALUATION.

REDUCTION OF ONE-THIRD. RATEPAYERS MUCH CONCERNED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. The recent revaluation of the borough of Thamea by the officers of the Government Valuation Department has resulted in the total valuation of the borough being reduced by approximately one-third. This will place the newlyelected council in the unenviable position of having to increase its special rates by nearly 50 per cent for the coming year. This prospect has caused considerable concern among the ratepayers, as grave doubts are entertained by many as to the extent of their ability to pay a further increase of not under 45 per cent on the previous high rate of 1/8 in the f. Pollen Street, the main business street of the town, has been more afl'eeted by the new valuation than any other part of the borough, and owners in the central part of this street will be called upon to face a great increase in

their rates. ' ' The new valuation roll abounds with anomalies, which has caused a sheaf of objections to be lodged, while a number of inaccuracies have been brought under the notice of the Valuation Department by the Borough Council. With the decrease in turnover brought about by the cut in salaries and by unemployment the business firms found last year's rates a burden, but Avith a further increase imposed upon them many will experience still greater difficulty in meeting their obligations during the coming year.

Long Service Recognised

Having served the citizens of Thames for 35 years, the last ten in the capacity of superintendent of the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade, Superintendent A. Gatrett retired from active service- last week. He was the guest of honour at a representative gathering on Thursday evening. In presenting him with a -pair of binoculars on behalf of the citizens, the Mayor (Mr. W. Bongard) assured him that the town regretted his decision to retire, and he left the brigade with the highest honours it was possible for a fireman to obtain. He had won the much-coveted gold star, and a few years ago he had been elected president of the United Fire Brigades' Association, in which capacity he represented New Zealand at one of the most important conferences of the fire-fighting bodies of the world. A case of pipes was then presented by newly-elected Superintendent L. Alexander, on behalf of the members of the brigade. Superintendent Garrett said he was leaving the brigade with the satisfaction of knowing that he had done something for his home town. The brigade was second to no other volunteer fire brigade in the Dominion. He advised the young members of the brigade always to keep it a volunteer organisation.