CITY ESTIMATES

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 55, 7 March 1922, Page 8

CITY ESTIMATES

NOW BEING PREPARED

THE' NEW RATES.

The various committees and departments of the City Council are now busy preparing the estimates of expenditure and receipts for 1922-23. In previous years there has been a certain amount of difficulty in framing the estimates owing to unavoidable delay in striking the rates, because,of uncompleted valuations. This year the Vajuation Department has hud the assistance of Mr. James Ames, City , Valuer, .in assessing, the valuations of new buildings, arid he hopes to have his work finished by the end of the month. . . '

It is possible that the estimates will be ready for presentation to the City Council at its meeting on 30th March, and that the rates for the new financial year will then be struck. Although the pointy has not yet been decided, there appears to bo a possibility that there will not be any/great variation in tho amount of the 'new' rate as compared with last year. As regards the finances of the city generally, the results of the past year's working will not be known before the end of the month, when the balance-sheet will be available.

The annual return from rates in Wellington is £300,000, and to date £255,620 3s 9d on rates for the current financial year has been collected.: This leaves a balance yd outstanding of over £44,000. At the end of every financial, year there is always a certain proportion of rates left unpaid, and the position is not likfely to be any .different this year. The money tightness has.had its effect on the municipal treasury^ to a fairly, .considerable extent during the past few months, and a number of ratepayers have asked for, and been granted, an- extension of time in which to pay; their rates, as financial pressure has prevented them from being able to meet their liabilities within the ordinary period.' Where hardship is, apparent the authorities are: always ready to make reasonable concessions. If all continues to go well, it.is hoped to establish a record this year in preparing the rate, demands and sending out the notices. Owing to the revaluations of property and the necessity for waiting until the Assessment Court had dealt with, appeals against the valuations, considerable delay was! ' occasioned 'in despatching the notices Jasfc year, and the .two half-yearly instalments were demand-^ 'ed almost on top vof one another. Endeavour is being made to Jiave the .first of the demands for the 1922-23- financial year sent to ratepayers next month, which ' will give; all property-owners a better opportunity' of getting ready to meet;the instalments due;for the second half of the yearj .{.'. '.' 0 '