Upper Hutt’s Doubled Rates

Grey River Argus, 19 October 1948, Page 8

Upper Hutt’s Doubled Rates

Legislation to bring the levying of rates by local bodies within the scope of stabilisation was sought in a petition from M. Castle and 1003 other ratepayers of Upper Hutt, presented by Mr J. J. Maher (Opposition, Otaki) in the House of Representatives.

The petitioners said that last March the Borough of Upper Hutt was revalued and that the unimproved value of the borough was increased from £218,000 to £480,000. On August 20 last the Borough Council struck the maximum rate, not on the old valuation, but on the new one, thereby doubling the rates payable from £16,379 to £33,230.

In addition to these rate increases there would probably be a steep increase in hospital rates next year.

The petitioners said that because of the difficult housing position in Wellington, many people of limited incomes had settled in Upper Hutt and many more were likely to do so provided the rates were not excessive.

The petitioners claimed that the action the Upper Hutt Borough Council was unreasonable and contrary to the interests of ratepayers. They therefore asked that the House pass legislation to bring within stabilisation the raising of rates by local bodies.