CLASSIFICATION OF LAND

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27377, 16 June 1954, Page 12

CLASSIFICATION OF LAND

CATCHMENT BOARD RATES APPEALS UPHELD BY MAGISTRATE (New Zealand Press Association) NELSON, June 15. “As no attempt has yet been made to prepare a general scheme, or to have a date appointed by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council by which the scheme is to be prepared, I have no option but to say that I am unable to deal with the classification list before the Court and the appeals must all be allowed.” This decision was given by the Magistrate (Mr H. J. Thompson) in a reserved judgment on the appeals of four local bodies against the Nelson Catchment Board’s classification list for rating. The Magistrate said that it seemed evident that the preparation of a general scheme by the Minister and Soil

and Rivers Control Council must be regarded as a statutory requirement which must be complied with before the exercising by the catchment board of its powers of classifying all the land in its district with a view to "levying a general rate. “It may not be inappropriate to add that this conclusion is reached reluctantly,” he said, “as it is obvious that to carry out its very important duties the board must have money, and this can only come from rates. Simple and clear-cut powers of rating are essential The proper course to pursue would seem to be to obtain an early amendment of Section 128, repealing the requirement of a general scheme.” The Magistrate mentioned six points arising out of the hearing which seemed to require a direction from the Legislature rather than a decision of the Court.

DECISION TO GO BEFORE COUNCIL

(New Zealand Press Association) • NELSON, June 15. The Nelson Catchment Board today decided to submit to the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council the decision of the Magistrate (Mr H. J. Thompson) upholding the appeals by four local bodies, with the request that it takes steps to have all matters raised clarified. The board is also to ask the council to seek amending legislation where and if considered necessary, and its attention is to be drawn to the fact that the board will be unable to levy a general works rate for the present year.