LOSS ON REVERTED PROPERTIES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 8, 10 July 1934, Page 12

LOSS ON REVERTED PROPERTIES

The finance committee of the Lower' Hutt Borough Council reported' last evening that the estimates for the year had'been fixed, and stated that this would necessitate the striking of a consolidated rate of 9|d in tho £ on the reduced valuations and a water rate of 2 per cent, for connected properties, and I per cent, for unconnected properties. It was also recommended that a rebate of 2k per cent, bo allowed on all cur-rent-year's rates paid -within thirty days from dato of demand.

Councillor J. E. Napier dissented from the proposed rate, stating that it was much. too high considering the ability of the ratepayers to pay at the present time. Ho said "ho could not agree that the main, cause of the rise in. tho rates was the reversion of properties to the Stato. and tho consequent loss of rates. Tho rate should have been kept down to 9Jd,, and this could have been done by cutting.out tho cost to the borough of the No. 5 scheme.. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. W. Andrews): And have a riot.

Councillor Napier added that the amount of money to be spent on street maintenance should also have been cut down. Ho.moved that the rate bo 9Jd, but failed to.find a seconder, aud tho motion fixing the rates at 9gd was formally passed, Councillor Napier dissenting.

Tho Mayor pointedl out that even at the higher rate the council was not anything like- holding it 3 own, but was budgeting for a loss, and that it was also neglecting urgent ; street maintenance. It was quite clear that the loss of rates on reverted properties was the sole cause of the increase.