TWO-EDGED SWORD.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10412, 20 October 1927, Page 4

TWO-EDGED SWORD.

epos OOrtNTKS JMLEMJtA RATING CHANGE REGRETTED,, Tho change in rating, system from' capital to unimproved values, adopted by ratepayers of tho Cook County a year a g<> threatens to become a Hvo edged sword. Whilst under the unimproved value rating system the ratepayers of the county hoped to relieve their burden of rates, they now find! that if : Wairoa,....part <?f which is in the Gish tome harbor district, changes tp tho unimproved value rating system, that Cook Countv ratepayers will be mulcted fop £80i) more than present with the harImr rating On capital valuation. When the -subpect was - mentioned at the Council yesterday, Mr G, Witters stated that the ratepayers de-cision-to jettison the capital and adopt the unimproved values rating system was unfortunate, in that th« County was paying more ; than its share of the charitable aid rate. Cr. G. Witters emphasised that, had the Harbor Board collected the harlmr rate on the unimproved value in the district this year it would have cost the ratepayers £IBOO more, hut that . imposition was obviated by the reason that &art of Wairoa Comity, which was- in tne harbor rating area, was rated on the capital value. But in future-the Cook County ratepayers would have to pay the har’rfor-rate on tho unimproved value, as Wairoa was adopting that system of rating and consequently in future it would cost this Council £ J 800 to £2OOO a, year more. Cr. W. G... Sherratte. W-ould it he any use giving notice of motion to rescind the decision for voting on unimproved value in the Cook County .two years henee? , “You ivant to influence Wairoa Countv not to change from rating on capital A-alue,” remarked Cr. G.’ Witters. . “Yes,” replied Or. bherratt. “Our only hope now is that Wairoa County will not alter their system of rat- > The eliairrnan (Mr. C. Matthews) stated that, according to statute, no rescission of the decision adopting improved A-alue rating in the Cook County could he made for three years, twelve months of which had elapsed. It was unfortunate , but the imposition of the extra burden caused by the levying of the harbor rate on unimproved A-alues could not be avoided if Wairoa adopted this system*