No rate relief for Calvary

Press, 14 September 1976, Page 6

No rate relief for Calvary

The Calvary Hospital complex should not get a reduction in rates, in spite of advice from hospital officials that it is in “a very difficult financial position." the Christchurch City Council policy and finance committee has said.

Rates records show that the hospital pays more than $15,000 in rates for seven properties, but councillors agreed it could not be classified as a charitable institution under the Rating Act.

Similar institutions charged rates are St George’s Hospital ($11,132) and the Nurse Maude Trust Board ($4242). Councillors

said rates relief for one institution could set a precedent for others. Part of the Calvary Hospital complex — the Mary Potter Hospital—is nonrateabie under the Rating Act. It would normally have been charged $3830 in rates this year. But help may be on the way for such organisations. A Government-proposed rating amendment says that local bodies could remit or postpone rates on land owned and occupied by anyl society ‘whose principal! object' is to promote any' purpose of recreation, • health, education or instruc-j tion for the benefit of residents.”