NEW LYNN RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 148, 25 June 1935, Page 9

NEW LYNN RATES.

VALUATION PROBLEM.

COUNCIL'S DECISION. 3 SPRiiADING THE BURDEN. v Owing to the continued fall in" the rateable value of the borough, the New Lynn Borough Council at its meeting last night was confronted with the problem of assessing the necessary rate to derive its required revenue for the enduing year. The last district valuation was made ir, 1931, when the total rateable value was £212,000, and since that valuation there lias been a drop in values of £25,000, of which £0000 has occurred since last year.

In many cases ratepayers have had two reductions in values since the district valuation in 1931, and in all 210 properties have had their assessments reduced by an average reduction of 35 per cent. The problem before the council was how to deal fairly with an awkward situation, as there are -jvui SOO ratepayers who have had no reductions since the borough valuation 'vas made iiV 1931.

The council considered two alternative proposals for obtaining ite required revenue: (1) An increase of '2d in the £ as compared with last year, thereby making the rate 1/7$ in the £, as against 1/5J in the £ for the previous year; (2) a consolidated rate of 2/ in the £, levied in accordance with section 5 .of the Land Valuation Act, 1925, on a proportionate part, being not less than 75 per cent, of the values appearing in the valuation roll as corrected from the district valuation roll up to March 31 preceding the date of the levy to all those ratepayers who have not had their properties reduced since the last district valuation in 1931. Second Course Adopted. The council resolved to take advantage of this section of the Act in order that the burden should be more evenly spread. The actual position will be that a rate of 2/ in the £ leviable on 75 per cent of the values will correspond to a rate of 1/0 in the £ on the 1931 values, which was the same rate as was levied for the year 1933. Those ratepayers who have obtained reductions since 1931 valuation still have an advantage of 10 per cent lower rate.

The council's object, said the Mayor, Mr. G. Lawson, was to apply the rating position as equitably as possible to all ratepayers. Next year a complete revaluation of the borough is to be made, and all ratepayers would then have equal opportunity to adjust their values through the. Assessment Court, without any personal cost. The lowest revenue required to meet the borough's demands was £13,500, of which nearly £0000 was taken up in fixed charges, leaving £4500 to provide for maintenance of roads and footpaths and public works, the upkeep of sewer and water reticulation systems, fire protection, main highways maintenance, borough administration costs and salaries, and general maintenance and upkeep of borough plant.

Even to keep within the bounds of this amount it was essential for the council to administer the borough prudently economically.