CIVIL ACTIONS CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1912, Page 10

CIVIL ACTIONS

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET

'An interesting proposal to facilitate the payment- of municipal rates was put before the Municipal Conference yesterday aftomoon in the shape of a remit from Lyttelton : — "That section 28 of the Rating Amendment Act, 1910, be amended so as to provide that an additional 10 per cent, shall be payable on all rates remaining unpaid for three montha after the date upon which they first become payable. That the date upon which the penalty will be added be plainly printed oni the rate demand form, and that no other notice be required. That the collection of the 10 per cent, penalty by the local authority be made compulsory, so that the system shall work uniformly throughout the Dominion." The mover, Mr. M. J. Miller, said the proposal would facilitate the payment.of rates and make ratepayers come up to | the scratch. Mr. H. Davis (Ashburton) agreed with this. Eventually the remit was withdrawn in favour of the following, moved by Mr. H. J. Otley (Christchurch) :— "That section 80 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1908, and section 70 of the Rating Act, 1908, be amended to empower local authorities to add 10 per cent, to all rates* when first demanded, with a view to allowing a discount of 10 per cent, on all rates paid within three months after due date, and a discount of 5 per cent, on all rates paid between three and six months -after due date." Mr., W.. H. Collingwood t (Palmerston North) considered it would be impossible to work such a system, as.it would entail double tne work without' any great benefit.' Mr. Woodfield (Spfeydon) said the scheme would bo an excellent one. Mr. A. Murray (Napier) said it was not workable for local bodies, as it would upset the system. Discount on payment of rates was not one that local bodies should adopt. I Mr. W. B. Scandrett (Invercargill) said the present system was a good one. (Voices : No.) -Mr. Osburne-Lflly (Pahlatua) thought -the proposal was a step in the right direction. It would place town clerks in a more dignified position than they were under the present system of having to dun ratepayers in the capacity ot debtcollectors. Mr. E. T. Michaels' (Auckland) «aid that the Queen City had less than £100 outstanding rates last year. It was all a matter of having competent officials. Mr. C. E. Statham, M.P. (Dunedm) pointed out that 10 per cent, added to the rates, ' arid then 10 per cent, discount on the total amount charged, would be two different things — on £10 it would be £1 in the first case and £1 2s in the discount. (Laughter.) The President strongly supported the proposal. Mr. F. Holdsworth (Onslow) said tne difficulty could be got over by making it "such" 10 per cent. ' The motion waß then put and lost by a large majority on the show of hands. Mr. W. J. M'Grath (Napier) moved — "That section 64 of the Rating Act, 1908, which entitles a person rated in respect of any dwellinghouse or other building io a remission of half-rates where such dwellinghouse or building remains vacant lor not less than six months in anyrating year, be repealed." The remit was carried by a majority of 26 to 24. Mr. E. Fletciier (Wellington) moved— "That local bodies be given statutory powers to rate companies or persons using the public streets for purposes of profit." < 4 I 1 The reihifc was adopted. Mr G. J. Garland (Grey Lynn) moved —"That section 29 of the Eating Amendment Act, 1910, be amended by the addition of a proviso that in cases where two boroughs amalgamatb, but prior thereto enter into an agreement that the rating system in force m one or both oX them shall continue, such borough shall, after amalgamation, be a special rating area in the united borr^igh, and tho system of rating therein before amalgamation shall continue." He explained that Grey Lynn was operating tinder the rating on unimproved value, while Auckland was rated on annual value, and ihe two municipalities desired to amalgamate. The remit was adopted. Mr. E. Fletcher (Wellington) moved — " That the Crown's exemption from rates be abolished." This and three other similar remits dealing with the same subject were carried. A committee, consisting of the Mayors of Dunedin, Christchurch, New Brighton, Wellington, and Messrs Veitch (Gonville) and Lufk (Te Kuiti), was appointed to consider a communication from the Agricultural Department on a proposal to exempt from rates plantations for timber and shelter purposes of over an acre in extent. At this stage the first motion in this report — that the 10 per cent, penalty on unpaid rates should be made uniform and compulsory — was reinstated by desire of the conference, and carried by 23 votes to 22.

Judgment by default was given for plaintiff in the following casee, heard in the Magistrate's Court yest-erday :—: — Howard Spackman v. Frank Morton, £2 iOe, costs 8s ; Felix Black v/ James Blewman, 10s 6d, costs ss*; H. Kaha (trading ns le Marche) v. Reginald Leslie Vail. 16s 3d, costs ss; W. J. , Grey and Son v. Francis John Al'Calman, £1 14 a 2d, costs ss; Ellen, Miriam Hillier (executrix of tho estate of Sarah Ann Hillier) v. Arvid Evil Ekstedt, £8 ss, cost* £1 3s 6d; W. Dimock and Co., Ltd., v. Ballinger Bros. (Haatbgs). £197 tia Bd, costs £8 8s 6d; Charles George Rhimes v. Urua Taipua, £16 12a lid, costs £2 On 6d ; J. T. lloi-n (as assignee' of Dr. P. F. M'Evedy) v. Samuel' Rudd, 10s 6d, costs 8s;, Samuel Thomas- v. James Bradshaw, £5 103, costs £1- 5s 6d; H. Oscai 1 Hewitt and Co., Ltd. -(in liquidation) v. Ilobert A. Lyane, £2 lse, costs 10s; William Isaac, and Sone y. Edith Upham, £5 11s lOd, costs £1 '6a 6d; Joosten and Murio v. W. De Uenzy, £1 15s, coats ss ; Le Grove and Lawrence Co., Ltd., v. White Bros., £2, costs 108 ; J. T. Horn (os assignee of Dr. Hogg) v. William Cooke, £1 2s 6d, coste se. JUDGMENT SUMMONSES. George # M'Gregor was ordered to pay Frederick Leo Fitzgerald and Albert George Pays the snm oi £29 0s 8d on or before 13th. August, in default fourteen days' imprisonment. J. Fernandos was ordered to pay Arthur Gyles and Stanley Gyles, trading as A. Gyles and Son, thß* sum of £5 12s 6d, on or beforo 13th Augtist, in the alternative three days' impiiaonment.

fBT TBT.JEGSAPH^-rEBSB ASSOCIATION."} CHRISTCHURCH, 30th July. Tho continued wet weather has a depressing effect upon the market. Merchants still report that there is no business passing in grain. Some wheat has been offered, but it failed to find buyers. Oats are also dull of sale. Chaff in store i«i firmer, but there is no business doing: with growers, as delivery f-ould not be given while the wet weather last I.1 '. The potato market i? in a somewhat dull state. The many shipments to Auckland, amounting to i 2,000 sacks from the so tain, during' tho past week, ha* e.ved off the demand from that quarter. For lots that can be certified, to as boing fit for shipment to Australia up to £5 is giren, and for ordinary sample* £4 10a to £4 15s is being offered, though fow are selling, owing to the difficulty of delivery.