RATING METHODS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 247, 18 October 1934, Page 11

RATING METHODS.

REMOVAL OF ANOMALIES. LEGISLATION PRESENTED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. For the purpose of removing an anomaly which has arisen in the rating methods adopted, amendments to the Counties Act and the River Boards Act were introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. The object of the legislation is to give to river boards and county councils powers similar to those enjoyed by land drainage boards, and which it has always been believed were possessed by county councils and river boards. Recently, the Supreme Court, in an action in which the Ivaipara River Board was involved, gave a decision which will prevent river boards and counties from obtaining sufficient revenue from their districts with which to meet their commitments. River boards and counties are required to classify their lands for rating purposes, and there is ;<lso a statutory limit in the amount of general rates which may be levied. Ihe Court held that this limitation applied to all classes, notwithstanding the fact that differential rates had to be levied. The machinery provided in the bill is intended to override this decision. The River Boards Bill will also bring river board elections into line with county elections, by transferring the date on which they are to be held from the second Tuesday in January to the second Wednesday in May.