COUNCILLOR HOPES TO AVOID RATE INCREASE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28906, 28 May 1959, Page 9

COUNCILLOR HOPES TO AVOID RATE INCREASE

One of the many Christchurch residents who were disappointed when they read yesterday morning that the Christchurch Drainage Board had increased its rates by about 20 per cent, was Mr H. P. Smith, a former chairman of the board. His disappointment was not as an individual ratepayer, for he thinks the board needs the money for its essential work, but, as chairman of the finance committee of the City Council and the man who will have to present to the public the City Council’s rates for 195850.

Any Cautious chairman likes to be able to keep rate demands down to the previous year’s, or reduce them if possible, particularly in election year. And in fixing the city rates, some thought must Be given to the rates levied by other local bodies for which the City Council acts as collecting authority. 'Ratepayers are told and their demands show them that the city’s rates are only a part of the total demand at the foot of the form, but many still regard the City Council as being responsible for all, overlooking the Drainage Board, Transport Board, Catchment Board and other bodies’ levies. Hope For Stability Cr. Smith still hopes that the council will not have to raise its rates over last year’s level. The rates will probably be fixed on June 29 when the estimates should be ready for approval. Of the Drainage Board’s rates, he said that the increase seemed sharp, but as the city developed and there were sewerage and drainage needs as well as demands

for improved amenities and facilities the total bill must continue to grow. The only way rates generally could be kept at a stable level was if increased

valuations produced enough rates to keep up with increasing costs; but that did not happen. He said he was sure ratepayers had learned that the demands did

not represent entirely rates paid to the City Council, because Drainage Board rates were steadily approaching a point where they would be equivalent to.the amount paid to the city. “These comments . are not intended to soften the blow of a proposed increase in rates for this year.” he said. “I am hopeful that the rates will be maintained about last year's figure.”