MOUNT ALBERT RATING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 157, 6 July 1931, Page 6

MOUNT ALBERT RATING.

In your issue of Thursday "Sandhani" is very concerned because, under capital value rathif. lie has now to bear a fair share of the borough rates. Under the unimproved system the unfortunate owners of vacant land, unsaleable at almost any price owing to its terrific burden of rates, had to carry the numerous "Sandhauie" of the borough on theirbacks. The result of the introduction of unimproved rating was the same in Mount Albert as in New Lynn and other boroughs rated under this selfish and pernicious system—an immediate orgy of borrowing for unnecessary works. This "excessive borrowing did not o-reatly worry "Sandhani," for. in spite' of the consequent increases in rates, his annual rate demand under the unimproved system was still comparatively low. But with the return to the capital value system and the advent of a municipally eane Mayor and council the desperate position of the borough finances became apparent. "Sandham" terms this year's rate a bombshell. Bombshells .are apparently necessary to awaken such as "Sandham" to an intelligent interest in civic affairs and to the evils consequent on unimproved rating. The Government valuation of a Mount" Albert property on which the rates are £IS is £1205—"Sandham's" definition of "a modest worker's dwelling"! ANNUAL VALUE.