RATES GOING UP

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

RATES GOING UP

■pALMERSTON-.NORTH!.S:';NEEDS; (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") PALMBBSTON N., This Day. That Palmerston North ratepayers have to find an additional £7154 by way of rates this year was announced by the Mayor (Mr., A. J. Graham) at last night's meeting of the Borough Council. Tho position was regretted, but inevitable. Tho increase is made up as follows: — . ■ ■ ■ £ Additional hospital levy ....... 1179 Extending 4-inch water main .. 2000 Less usual amount transferred from water account 2000 Milverr«u Park 300 Tarring College' street1 t>2s Reconstruction of . Ferguson street West ...;.... 400 Tarring Ferguson ■ street West .. COO Total, £7154, which represents 2-3 d in the £. ■ THE RATES. The separato rates will be:—General rate, 2 5-Gd; water rate, 3^ per cent.; library rate, l-9d; hospital rate, 4-7 d; special rate, 3 17-250 d. The special rate is lower this year to the extent of £3500. . Tho Mayor (Mr. A. J. Graham.), in explaining tho position, stated ' that tho works included above wcro urgent and essential in,the best interests of the ratepayers and could only be .undertaken out., of revenue. It was unfortunate that an increase in the total rate was necessary in viow of .the economic position. However, tho borough was a progressive.one iihd-could not be allowed to stagnate. Tho .council had affirmed tho principle of not' transferring moneys from, other ■accounts to relieve the general rate. That praetico in the past had undoubtedly kept the rates down, but it was a wrong policy to follow. Departmental profits1 should 1)0 utilised for renewals, extensions, etc. This year the general account was not getting anything from tho water account, but the electrical account would be paying £300.0 for losses on tho gasworks. Silvorstone and Co., 'auctioneers, will pell without reserve, the contents of a seven-roomed furnished house, at 18, Tennyson street, off Cambridge terrace, on Thursday, at 1.30 p.m., without reserve.