RELIEF IN RATING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 31, 6 August 1934, Page 6

RELIEF IN RATING

THE THAMES BOROUGH

NEW PROPOSALS

•(By Telegraph—Press Association.) THAMES, August 4. A substantial relief in rating over tho Thames borough will result if proposals agreed to at a recent conference in Wellington between representatives of the borough and the loans creditors' committee are embodied in pending legislation this session. ,The commissioner, Mr. C. L. Grange, estimates that the, relief will amount to £4600 yearly. ,£oi'..,three-' years, if' the ague meutv.is ratified, and': the general rate w.ill: not exceed Is Si "in the. £1, un improved value, provided no abnormal circumstances arise in the meantime This compares with the present rate of Ss'OJd for 1934-35. . A special meeting of the borough <id visory committee today approved the . proposals, and deeided to call a public meeting oi ; a'atopayers next... Thuibday ': toVeoiisider/ the; agreomenfc The pun • (JipaT:1 Clause's.' in';the ; |if bposals are —(1) . TnatVeoihmissionei' control be extended for' .three years; (2) that in oulei to secure a raore 'equitable distribution m incidence, the rating- basis of valuations be those fixed by general revaluation, 1931-32, after determination of all ap peals..by the Assessment Court, and subject only to special provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, the valuation of Land Act, ■ 1925, and the Urban Farm Land Rating: Act, 1932, with a' right to .appeal on the Aground of inequality to a special .tribunal of three members, one nominated by the bondholders and one by the borough with a Magistrate presiding. Other proposals related to a further reduction of interest to two-thirds, similarly with the sinking funds. '..I The Mayor, Mr. 'S. Ensor, said, he thought that with careful working the rate might be lower than Is Sd, possibly Is 6d. Other members of ■ the advisory .'•'committee • considered that the terms offered by the bondholders were; generous and would give a fresh' start to the town. It was agreed that a stable basis of valuation was the r n'rst essential. , [