Riccarton rates unchanged

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32640, 23 June 1971, Page 20

Riccarton rates unchanged

A credit balance of $35,782 at March 31 and estimated receipts of $33,000 from the petroleum tax enabled the Riccarton Borough Council to keep its general rate this year at the same figure as last year.

The finance committee chairman (Cr D. A. Anderson) reported this at a meeting of the council last evening.

The estimates provided for a total expediture of $319,240, compared with actual expediture of $308,357

last year. The finance committee reported that the high cost of town planning should be investigated to see if it could be reduced, as the cost last year was $15,811, and the estimated cost this year was $15,000. The main item of general expenditure was $134,680 for reading work. Receipts included $33,000 from reserve funds and $50,000 from electricity profits. The council decided to have the same general rate of 1.129 c in the dollar on the unimproved value, and water rates also were unchanged. Referring to a rate increase made last year to meet expected extra costs, Cr Anderson said events had justified this action. The cash account balance in the electricity department at March 31 was $65,996. Cr Anderson gave comparisons between City Council and Riccarton rates. A department store with an unimproved value of $144,500 would pay $2015 in the borough, and $3447 in the city. A house with an unimproved value of $3150 would pay $43 in Riccarton compared with $66, and a home on $2050 valuation would pay $29 as against $42. The council deferred making a grant to the Canterbury Public Library reference section until the new library plan is produced, though the Mayor (Mr R. W. J. Harrington) commended the library as one of the city’s most important services. His motion that a grant of $250 be made was not seconded. Cr R. S. Lester said the council would play its part when the new library was built. The council agreed to pay its share of $1715 for Commonwealth Games swimming pool costs, but declined to make grants to the Art Gallery and the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board.