RICCARTON RATES FIXED

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28010, 3 July 1956, Page 6

RICCARTON RATES FIXED

ESTIMATES FOR YEAR AVERAGE INCREASE OF FROM £1 TO £2 “In the estimates for the current year, sufficient money has been put aside for the construction of the new Straven road bridge. It is hoped that the Waimairi County Council will call tenders for this job as soon as possible, so that we may see the end of the present narrow bridge.” said the chairman of the finance and by-laws committee of the Riccarton Borough Counil 'Cr. P O. Evans) at a meeting of the council last evening. “The whole of the money received from the National Roads ‘Board together with last year’s balance, has r* r orT-f pent ' Alt °£ether. we have spent £20./al on streets in Riccarton during uie last financial year,” said Cr Evans. “The council has four current loans, but it is having no difficulty in obtaining any money that it requires for j r s? n L ca P‘ ,al works. The net public $ e P. t J’ as lncreaserf from £81.634 to £94.800. an increase of £13.166. This ls , r^ a .‘, n IX due to the electricity loan of £41.000. “All the smaller rates in the estimates for the current year are approximately the same as last vear ” said Cr. Evans. “The Hospital Board’s levy will appear on the rate paner for the last time. The water rate has caused the committee some concern because of the comparatively heavy capital expenditure to be met during his year, but as the scheme is nearin* bas been recommended ♦hat this rate be increased from 2'd to 2.’.d for the present year. This rate may be .reduced within two ye-irs. An - increase of Id will brin* the general rate up to 6Jd. This amount '•overs reading works, rubbish collection. wares and salaries, plant renewals. the Straven road bridge, the ~e , flo °rin? and painting n. the Town Hall. Burnside road, town o jannin* costs. and numerous incidentals. Rising costs, and increases m awards, together with Burnside ’•oad. town olanning. valuation expenses. election expenses, and a road widening fund, plus a reduction in the closing balance at the end of last ve .j r - caused this rate increase.’’ said Cr. Evans. eenPral effect this year will be that the avenge rate paner will rise b -Y., £2. Next year. Riccarton will be revalued, and the amounts paid to ad hoc bodies will increase considerably. Last year, rating in Riccarton was excontionally li*ht because 2* • ® revaluation of Metropolitan Christchurch by areas.” said Cr. Evans. The comm-ttee regrets that it has no authontv with regard to times when valuations take effect.” The council adopted the recommendations of the committee.