LOWER HUTT RATES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 12, 9 October 1928, Page 12

LOWER HUTT RATES

ARE THEY ENFORCEABLE? TEST CASE SUGGESTED The recent dissatisfaction experienced in some quarters of the borough of Lower Hutt owing to the alteration in the valuations led to a deputation waiting on the Borough Council at its meeting last night.

The deputation consisted ol Mr. W. E. Dickinson, who informed the council that the opinion had been expressed that there was a great doubt as to whether payment of such rates could be enforced. lie intimated that there was one ratepayer who was prepared to make a test case of the situation.

Addressing the Mayor (Mr. W. T. Strand), Mr. Dickinson asked the following questions:—

(1) Are you and your council of the opinion that payment of the current rate demand is enforceable at law? (2) If so, Would you and your council be prepared to take a test case to the Supreme Court? (3) What is the date of the council’s resolution making or levying the current rate? (4) On what date did the town clerk actually receive the revised roll? (5) Has the new rate book containing new valuation been signed by two members of your council? (6) If so, by whom, and when? (7) Were the public notified that such new rate book or revised rate book was open for inspection to ratepayers? (8) If so, what was the actual public notification given, and when? (9) In view of the large amount of uneasiness that exists with regard to the rising rates, would you and your council be prepared to attend a public meeting for the purpose of a discussion on borough rates and borough policy? (10) If so, I suggest that you appoint your own chairman, on condition that I be allowed to address the meeting for three-quarters of an hour, either before or after you or any other councillor has spoken. So far as we are concerned, there will only be one speaker. The questions having been asked, Mr. Dickinson departed, and the discussion on the matter was taken in committee.