LOSS OF RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 67, 21 March 1938, Page 3

LOSS OF RATES.

DEVONPORT BOROUGH. DEFENCE FACILITIES. DETERIORATION OF ROADS. (By TeJograph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. The growing; burden imposed on the Devonnort Borough Council in providing land for defence purposes, and the increasing loss t<? the finances of the borough as a result, were brought before the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, and the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Xaeh, by the member for the district. Mr. W. J. Lyon. and a member of the Devonport Borough Council, Mr. E. Altlridge. Mr. Lyon explained that 14 per cent of tlie total ratable area of the borough was used for military and naval defence, North Head. Vauxhall and the Calliope dock area being included. The loss of rates annually had reached over £3000. That was serious to a borough with a limited area and a limited population. Traffic to naval and military depots was of heavy character. and this meant considerable wear and tear on the roads. He instanced th» ".inditir.n of C'lciji'e and Kin<,' Edward Parades as t-pccinl examples. Mr. Aldridge said the upkeep of Queen's Parade was £500 a yii ilu , * to '".t'Rvy traffic for naval :.iup■>?<:<. The borough was constructing road aoces to the JTorth Read depot, anil j»un .';mbers and other transport of a mechanised army would have a detrimental effect. He suggested that the Government shou'd la;, down th;« r:>ads in [rtmiuiciit i> j.terial, or as .-. n altcrna'ne e<-rtribute an ai.nual sum '.'j-v.v.U their maintenance. That would lielp to • tf• fet Ihe big loss in rates. Da.•osu-ort wr, in the unique position of providing defence facilities for Auckland and suburbs, and a distinct hardship had been created by the loss of tvtiue. The Minister drew attention to the position of Petone. Government workshops were situated in thac borough, and the loss of rates was great. The position was similar to that of Devnnport. Mr. Altlridge said that the Government workshop employees were permanent residents who had their own homes and. were citizens contributing to the general welfare of the community. The naval ratings lived afloat and were in a totally different position to the workshop employees. The Minister said there were grave difficulties in the way as far as compensation for rates was concerned, but the road problem was one that might receive special consideration by Cabinet. representations would be* carefully considered.