Page 30 Advertisements Column 11

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 30

Public Mees j CHATHAM ISLANDS COUNTY COUNCIL EMPOWERING AMENDMENT BILL 1980 NOTICE Is herebj' given of the intention of the Chatham Islands County Council to promote a local Bill which will repeal and replace the Chatham Islands County Council Empowering Act 1936. The principal object of the Bill is the re-introduction of land rating on the Chatham Islands. The present system of lewing dues on goods imported into and exported from the County will continue, although the Bill provides for a number of changes in the way in which such dues are determined. The proposed Bill will come into force upon its enactment. Clause 3 provides for the reintroduction of general rating as from the financial year commencing April 1. 1981, and for the introduction both of the works and services rate and of separate rates, which are provided for in the Local Government Act 1974. The initial system of general rating is to be determined by the Council in special meeting and the system decided upon may thereafter be changed in accordance with the procedures prescribed bv the Rating. Act 1967. Clause 4 provides for the continuation of the Council’s power to levy dues, which are proposed to be referred to as "countv dues.” In terms of the Bill dues will be fixed by special order of the Council, and not by the present system of Order in Council, which involves application by the Council to Government. Differential scales of county dues may be fixed, depending upon which island the goods are imported into or exported from and whether they ara carried by ship or by aircraft. Clause a provides for the application of proceeds of county dues. Clause 6 specifies the basis upon which the general rate is to be calculated. The aggregate of general rate and county dues derivable in any one vear should not exceed the maximum amount which the Council would be entitled to receive if it were to make and levy a general rate only, at the maximum amount in the dollar permitted by the Local Government Act 1974, on every rateable property within the County. Special provisions apply if the maximum is exceeded. Clause 7 specifies the persons liable to pay county dues and Clause 8 permits any such person (other than the owner of the goods) to retain the amount of dues out of money of the owner in his hands. Clause 9 empowers the Council to make by-laws relating to the collection of dues. It is envisaged that such by-laws would correspond to the administrative provisions contained in the existing Order In Council. Clause 10 prescribes offences for evasion and false declarations. Clause 11 allows the Council to sue for unpaid County dues. Clauses 12, 13 and 14 provide, respectively, for the saving of other powers of the Council, for repeals and amendments, and for transitional provisions. Copies of the Bill may be Inspected at the offices of the District Court and the CountyCouncil at Waitangi. Chatham Islands.