Ratepayers’ requests to be ignored

Press, 21 August 1979, Page 23

Ratepayers’ requests to be ignored

Kaiapoi’s rates controversy i has taken a new turn, with (further correspondence from (the Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association likely to be ignored by the Borough Council. The council decided at its monthly' meeting last evening to let any further correspondence from the association, “lie on the table.” In theory this means that it can be raised again at any time, but in practice it means that the council may not act upon it. The decision will stand until the comments are withdrawn and an apology is made. It was taken in retaliation for comments by a deputation from the association which met the council at its last meeting, in July. The deputation’s leader (Mr J. Wilson) was reported then as saying that the borough’s recent rate increase of 38 per cent was extortionate.

In the opinion of the deputation the councillors had not lived up to the oaths they had made when taking office. Cr R. L. Wylie said last evening that he had taken exception to Mr Wilson’s allegation. “I feel it was insulting to myself and other councillors. I, and all other councillors, took our oaths with great sincerity. His statements cast doubt on our honesty.” He moved that any correspondence lie on the table until the comment had been withdrawm and an apology was made. Cr J. A. McKenzie supported Cr Wylie’s statement, saying that the matter was not

funny. “Unless someone is able to support the statement that I have broken my oath, this move should be taken.” The motion was passed unanimously, although one councillor, who had not been present at the previous meeting, abstained. A letter from the association included a suggestion by the Minister of Local Government (Mr Highet) on possible solutions to the controversy. The association wanted to suggest that a conference be called to discuss the council estimates, the issue of water reticulation, and the use of revenue from reserves for the relief of rates. The letter said four representatives of the association had been appointed, and it suggested that the council do the same. Later at the meeting the council agreed to send a remit to the Municipal Association asking that rates be made tax-deductable. The meeting also heard that according to the Municipal Association, the Kaiapoi rates, in spite of the increase, were lower than the national average. At its next meeting the council will consider a motion to apply for approval of a $250,000 loan. This would be raised under the council’s plan to buy the Kaiapoi woollen mills for use as an industrial complex “to provide employment opportunities” in the’ area. A special rate would not be levied to finance it, as loan repayments would be made from rentals received from industrial tenants.