CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 65, 14 September 1933, Page 10

CORRESPONDENCE

INCREASE IN CITY RATES

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —This year a lesser total sum is being levied by the City Council in rates than for last year, but most ratepayers are disagreeably surprised to see that their individual rates are in excess of those paid in the previous year.- The reason for this increase is simply that sev.eral hundred ratepayers (including many of the owners of the most valuable properties- iv Ihc city) have in the past two years exercised their right of applying tor special revaluations and are now being lated on the lower values they obtained. The amount these ratepayers have saved themselves has now to be made up by a corresponding levy on, the other ratepayers in tho city—hence the increase in mont rate demands this year. • It is grossly unfair to the majority of ratepayers that this condition of affairs should continue, and it can only be remedied by a revaluation of the whole city before March 31, 1034. .

Prior to the: last general council election, ratepayers; were given to understand that this revaluation would be put in hand at once, and would be completed this year. Now it seems, however, as if it will not be completed before March 31 nest, in which case the rates for next year again will increase for the majority of ratepayers for the benefit of the class mentioned above. The only reason which can be. given for failing to complete the revaluation by March 31 next is that the Valuation Department: has not sufficient staff to do the -work." If this be so, ;it is a condition of affairs'which ought to be remedied at once. There are many architect;*, builders, and land*'agents of experience whose services could easily be obtained by the department ut the-pre-sent time. ■„ Moreover, once the valuers have .agreed, between'themselves on tlie percentage reduction in value to be given in any particular district the application of it to the properties in the "district will for the most part be a simple matter. The council should insist on the revaluations being completed by March 31, ami the ratepayers generally await with interest some intimation of the present position. lam sure, that excuses ; that the work - cannot be completed before March 31 will, not stand investigation. I trust, Sir, that you will use your columns to see, this inattcr is not lost sight of.— I am, etc., ■ . ' . '" ' ■'.'■ ■ R. L..MACALISTER.