BOROUGH FARMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10712, 9 October 1928, Page 5

BOROUGH FARMS.

PROPOSED RATING RELIEF. . : NO LEGISLATION TH.ls SESSION ’ STATEMENT BY MINISTER.. (Press Association.* ; - AVELLiNGTON, Oct. 8. Replying in the House to-day to Mr A. Hamilton (Wallace) who asked the Minister of Lands! whether it was intended: this* session to pass legislation which' would give relief to thoe land owners owning farms within the boroughs, the Hon. A. H McLeod said:— “My reply to the honorable gentleman must take the form of a Ministerial statement. I very muc,h regret having to state it has proved a physical impossibility to have the necessary drafting done in time to cover., adequately all the matter arising out of the Commission’s, exceedingly valuable reports. These have - been circulated to all the city and borough councils, and so’ far the criticism of a directly adverse nature, which hag reached me respecting the proposals has , been practically neglible, those res•’ponsible for local body government in the towns affected agreeing m the: main that real injustices exist in many localities which under tlie present laws are incapable of being met or removed. “Further investigation by the Departments chiefly concerned goes to show that amendments to the Valuation Act are also required before adequate provision can be made to overcome fully, the • difficulties; which are admitted by all interested in the subiect. a have, therefore, to state : t.hat after reviewing all the circumstances the Government is compelled ‘to hold over legislation until such time as the affected local bodies have had full opportunity of going into the Commission’s recommendations and to consult with my officers in the preparation for next session of legislation which it is hoped will provide facilities to remove as far as possible existing anomalies and hardships.” CASE OF HARDSHIP AT DEVONPORT SIXTY ACRE FARM BROUGHT INTO BOROUGH GREATEST RETURN. £6 WEEKLY, RATES £389. As illustrating the nee<i for some amending legislation on this subject-, the Minister quoted _ from a letter he had that day received from a settler at Takapuna, during the course of which the writer said: — GI have a sixty acre farm at Takapuna. It is in the borough of Takapuna,- which recently carried rating on the unimproved value. I have got aj rate notice demanding £389 for rates. The property is a farm, and has been since settlement took place and is likely to be for a very considerable period, yet the greatest return it has ever made is £6 per week gross.”