CIRCULAR TO ROAD BOARDS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 763, 1 December 1876, Page 3

CIRCULAR TO ROAD BOARDS.

A circular has been issued from the Colonial Secretary’s Office addressed to Chair- 1 men of Road Boards directing their atten- ’ tinn to certain clauses of the Rating Act, the Regulation of Local Elections Act, the Financial Arrangements Act, and the Public Works Act. all passed during the session ot the General Assembly which has just ■closed. We hope the members of the Road Boards of Otago will enjoy themselves while mastering the provisions of these voluminous statutes. They might, however, Lave been well spared a portion of the labor. It is very desirable that a uniform system of valuation and rating should be established throughout the Colony, seeing that the Government subsidies to the Counties and Municipalities are to be given in proportion to the amounts raised by way of rates up to one shilling in the pound on the annual value of property in the various districts, but still the matter could have stood over for another year without much harm being done. Country settlers have somev \£hing else to do than studying complex Acts ofj Parliament, and it must be remembered 'that they do not possess the same facilities for interpreting new laws that are enjoyed by residents in town. The Counties Act in itself is a formidable meal for a layman ; but to canneot it with four other Acts—one of them, the Public Works Act, being ■equally lengthy and abstruse—is piling on the legislative agony with a vengeance. However, they have been passed, and those persons who are more immediately interested in their working will have to make the best of the circumstances. What the the Uuder-Secretary points out with regard to the Rating Act is that, after the 31st March next, it will not ho competent for any local body (which includes Municipal Councils) to make any rate except under the provisions of the Act ; while valuers must also be appointed in time to enable them to prepare a valuation list by the 15th ot; January. These provisions arc imperative. : Then, by the 32nd clause of the Financial Arrangements Act, the council of every county, borough, road district, or river district is debarred from receiving any subsidy unless the returns specified in the clause are furnished to the Colonial Treasurer by the 31st ot January next. .One ot these returns is to state the total amount of all the rateable property within the district, aud the other the amount of general rates actually received during the year ending on the 31st of March, 187 C. The latter return will torr.. the basis for computing the amount of subsidy payable to the Board during the six months ending the 30th of June next; the subsidies for the present financial year only covering the six months terminating at that date, on account of the principal appropriations having been extended until the Slat of December, 1870. Matters will afterwards fall into their right order; and the Undersecretary suggests that, for the sake of convenience, the financial year of each local body should, for the future, be made to ter-

inmate on the !)lnt of March—a suggestion which will doubtless ho adopted. Western StarWe give below the main features of the ” Rating Act ” for the benefit of Municipal Councils, who will do well before they strike the rate for the ensuing year to make themselves Well acquainted with it in its every detail, as if it camo into force on the day of its date, viz., October 31, 1870, any rate not made in conformity with it we opine will bo null aiid void. Section 3 repeals all provisions contained in any Act or Ordinance in force in New Zealand, or in any Province thereof for making any valuation of property for the purpose of levying rates thereon in any part of New Zealand. 4. As soon as conveniently may bo after the passing of this Act, every local body shall appoint valuers. 5. Valuers to make declaration. 6, Valuators on or before the 15th day of January in each year to prepare a valuation list for each ward. 8, D, 10 and 11. Who to be liable for rates, 12 to 34 inclusive deals with assessment and the power of the Court—“ The Resident Magistrate, or other person whom the Governor may appoint as Judge. ” 35. It shall not be lawful for any local body (Municipal Council) after the 31st March, 1877 to make any rate except under the provisions of this Act, but any rates or arrears of rates made before the passing of this Act, or made after the passing of this Act for any period ending no later than such 31st March, 1877, may bo duly collected, sued for, and recovered at any time thereafter, as if this Act had not been passed. 36. All rates to be made after the said 31st March, 1877, or to be made lor any period commencing on or after the Said day shall be made and levied as provided by this Act, and not otherwise. 37 to 44 inclusive defines rateable property, the form of rate, the rate book, and powers of appeal. 45 lays it down that the occupier is liable only for the time he occupies property rated. 46 to 64 describes bow rates are recoverable, and among other things laying it down that the occupier of any property is only liable for rates t6 the amount of his rent due, and that freehold property may be seized and sold, and the District Land Registrar shall give a tilde.