TO SUE FOR RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 224, 21 September 1935, Page 11

TO SUE FOR RATES.

OTAHUHU BOROUGH COUNCIL

CROWN" PROPERTY EXCEPTED.

A report was submitted to the Otahuhu Borough Council by a special committee set up to examine the position of outstanding rates and the State properties in arrears. The committee recommended that the council revert to the former policy of sueing for all rates outstanding at the end of each financial vear, except in the cases of Crown properties, in which case each property should be considered on its merits. The committee further recommended that on the adoption pf the foregoing resolution all ratepayers in arrears be notified of the council's intention to sue forthwith, and that within one month -of these notices being sent out not more than £25 be spent in searching the titles to all properties not already searched on which there are arrears of rates. The following information in regard to the 1034-35 rates was given to the council: —Total rates struck, £17,148 2/3; total number of rateable properties, 1305; total rates in arrear on March 31, 1033, £4084 0/4; total number of rateable properties on which rates arc in arrear, 389.

In speaking to the report, Mr. A. Sinclair said the amount outstanding at March 31, 1933, was £12,000. At the present moment it- was £9000, £3000 having been collected during the last few months. To sue for- State arrears was'only throwing good money after bad. There were many genuine cases of hardship, but many were not facing up to their obligations. He would like to point out that the relief workers were not the major of snders. Mr. A. Murdoch said the number was large, and they had great difficulty in giving fuller information, but he thought the two resolutions would cover the

position. ~ The Mayor, Mr. C. R. Petrio, said while he was anxious to clear up the position he was not in favour of harassing people who were doing their best. Fuller information should be placed before councillors, and as this could not bo given in open council lie would agree to go into committee. The report was adopted subject to the resolution of the special committee not being applicable to the 1034-35 outstanding rates.