COSTLY CITY PROSPERITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 4, 6 January 1938, Page 6

COSTLY CITY PROSPERITY.

Still further evidence that the year begins under prosperous conditions is contained in the statement of the city valuer, that the latest rateable *ralue of the city would at least equal that for the peak year, 1930-31, £2,758,022. The increase over last year, it is stated, will amount to approximately £150,000, which will yield an added rate revenue of about £32,000. For the current year the City Council has budgeted for a revenue of £560,000, so that with the addition of the £32,000, the total for the year 1938-39 will be almost £600,000, an increase in the rate revenue of no less than £100,000 in two years. From this revenue buoyancy, however, it does not appear that the ratepayer will benefit. Rates have increased sharply. In 1936-37 the total was 3/11 \ in the £, but for this year the levy is 4/3|, an increase of 3£d. What is the reason for this rise? Two considerable elements are certainly the shorter working week and increased wages, for which two expensive luxuries the ratepayer must pay again as he has already paid in other |directions before. The taxpayer is, however, jwondering when this mounting rate cost will end, for a levy of 4/3£ is a heavy burden.