TV fees upset county

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 13

TV fees upset county

Banks Peninsula people are upset about having to pay full television licence fees while they receive only one channel. The Wairewa County Council has written to the Broadcasting Corporation asking why residents in the county had' to pay a full fee for half a service and asking when they would get a full service.

The corporation told the council that a full install s ation could not be provided until the mid 1980 s. It said that the licence fee was “for the use of a television set, and not related to the nature or extent of the programme service provided.” The corporation said an “accelerated development programme” could be provided if local groups raised sufficient funds for receiving

equipment. A two-channel, service could, in some cases, j be provided within six! months of the corporation’s receiving such finance. Fire station More than $5500 has so far been given towards Little River’s proposed fire station and community hall. The fund-raising committee hopes to raise $22,000 towards the building expected to cost $lOO,OOO. The fire station and hall will share the same building and it is hoped this will be built about 1982-83. The committee is raising funds through raffles, auctions, and firewood sales. Rates up

Rates in Wairewa County have been increased 10 per cent on last vear.

Last month the council struck a new rate of 0.495 c in the dollar, compared with last year’s rate of 0.45 c. The rate is based on the capital value of the land. The biggest proportion of the money ($73,660) goes to the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges. Administration, elections, and levies are estimated to cost $44,727.