NORTHCOTE RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 74, 29 March 1933, Page 9

NORTHCOTE RATES.

LARGE SUM OUTSTANDING,

MATTER FOR NEW COUNCIL.

The Northcote treasurer, Mr. H. W. Wilson, reported to the Borough Council last night that the payment of rates during the past year had been very disappointing. Tho sum of £0789 11/4 had been received in respect of the current year's rates of £9458 7/8, and £1237 0/9 off arrears, amounting to £3737 13/4. The total collection, therefore, was £8020 18/1, leaving £5169 2/11 still outstanding. This amount would extinguish the overdraft, which that day stood at £4600, though the limit was £6000. Amongst these rates outstanding are several large sums, which if paid would in themselves make a considerable difference. It indicated that tho council must adopt a stricter attitude in order to enforce payment. As the council had power to extend the time for payment without penalty, he recommended this be availed of, as tending to an earlier settlement of arrears.

The time for payment of the current rates, without the 10 per cent penalty being added, was extended till April 30, this not to serve as a precedent. The Mayor, Mr. R. Martin, said it would be for the new council to take definite action to recover outstanding rates.

The council recommended that the new council should take prompt action. Authority was also given the waterworks engineer to cut water off, after the necessary notice, in default of payment of the charges.