OTAKI BOROUGH

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 119, 22 May 1928, Page 11

OTAKI BOROUGH

RATING COMMISSION EFFORTS AT A SETTLEMENT (By Telegraph.) (Spocial to "The Evening Post.") OTAKI, This Day. The Commission which opened on Bth May to inquire into the Otaki Borough rating and allied questions, and which adjourned on Thursday afternoon with the completion of the evidence, resumed its sitting at the Otaki Courthourse yesterday morning. The Commission consists of Mr. E. M. Watson, S.M. (chairman), Mr. W. T. Strand, and Mr. W. Nash. The chairman announced that since the last sitting, and with the assistance- of Mr. Strand, a statement had been obtained showing a clarification of all the properties in the borough. It would be for Mr. Luckic (counsel for certain, leaseholders objecting to the present rating) to say how he could meet the board's proposals. Mr. Luckie asked if the borough had definitely made proposals? He added that he only knew of the memorandum proposing classification which was drawn up last week as the result of a. conference, but which had not yet been dealt with by the Commission. He did not know how the. proposals were going to affect . his clients. Mr. Atmore (appearing for the Borough Council) said that, although a general classification had been drawn up, it would be necessary to prepare two separate clas-sifications^-rone for water and the other for drainage. This would involve a great deal of work, but with the expert assistance of the Valuer-General it could be done. He would like an indication from Mr. Luckie as to whether the proposed scheme would be accepted as a basis of settlement. The chairman said he did not know that Mr. Luckie could give this assurance until he had examined the scheme. Mr. Luckie stated that, assuming that it was a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence, it was impossible for him to give. any indication of the attitude of his clients until he had seen how it would affect them. . The chairman stated that the documents would be at the disposal of Mr. Luckie for his examination; if he could not go any further, the Commission would terminate. Mr., Atmore Said he would like to have an opportunity of discussing the proposals with the Valuer-General and Mr. Luckie in committee. Mr. Luckie asked for time to get information as to what would be the effect of the classification on his clients. The chairman suggested that Mr. Luckie examine the returns that had been prepared, adding that the Commission would be at hand to come to a decision in committee at any time. He also stated that the Commission had agreed to hear Mr. T. F. Martin (counsel for. certain freeliolders) in Wellington, and nothing would be finally decided until then.. The Commission then adjourned to enable the parties interested to investi-, gate the returns.