CROWN DECLINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 15

CROWN DECLINES.

PAYMENT OF RATES. CLAIM FOR EXEMPTION. GISBORNE BOROUGH PROTEST. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) GISBORNE, this day. The statement that the Crown was claiming exemption from rates on property valued at £12,000 in the borough was made at a meeting of the borough council by the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., who added that compared with other places Gisborne came oil lightly. The discussion arose fro:ii a report presented by the town clerk to the effect that the Crown now declined to pay special rates levied to secure renewal of loans on the ground that such--rate had been struck after the Crown had become the occupier. The report expressed the opinion that such an attitude was iniquitous and quoted as an example the borough loan of £175.000, maturing in 1940, in respect to which it would be necessary to raise a renewal loan. The Crown, he stated, had received the benefit of amenities provided by the original loan yet it would accept liability with respect to interest and sinking fund only to maturity date. With a number of properties reverting to the Crown the position was becoming accentuated. The council decided to forward a remit to the niun-eipal conference dealing with til';