Mrs Clarke’s Application.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 204, 4 October 1888, Page 2

Mrs Clarke’s Application.

At the Borough Council's meeting on Tuesday evening, The Clerk said he haa seen Mrs Clarke, in accordance with the wish of the Council, and she had informed him of the position n which she was situated. It appeared that she was the owner of several properties, but the income derived from these was little more than sufficient to meet the interest on mortgages. She had also lost a sum of money and all her effects by the fire. Or Lucas said that no one wished to press hardly on Mrs Clarke, but she was the owner of two or three valuable properties, and if they remitted the rates they would be inflicting a hardship on other small owners. A very good way to settle the matter, iu his oninion, would be to come to a decision noil* ask for the rates—thev could let them run two years. If Mrs Clarke sold the before that time, or the mortgagees foreclosed, they oould come on the purchasers or

s mortgagees for the rates. What be suggested t was that no action should be taken with re- ■ gard to these rates, and when the two years s expired they oould consider what course they should adopt. He felt there were numbers of t small property holders who were quite as i much pressed as Mrs Clarke, and they would have an equal right to ask for a remission of rates. He moved in accordance with his I suggestion. Cr Coleman seconded the motion. As Or - Lucas had said, there ware many ratepayers quite as hard up as Mrs Clarke, and if they granted the remission they would h-> a numerous applicants for similar relief, Mrs Clarke was the owner of valuable properties and he did not think these properties should escape rating. The Mayor thought there were times when men should be bold enough to do what they thought waa right, and this was a ease when they should be bold enough to do the right thing. Mrs Clarke seemed to him to ba pursued by mischance, and he thought here waa an exceptional ease. There might bo other persons quite as poor as Mrs Clarke, but they should remember the very great change in her circumstances. Poverty was not so great a hardship on psrsons who were accustomed to that state as it was to one who had seen better days. It was t ue that Mrs Clarke vu the possessor of-valuable properties, but she was merely ths nominal owner. He considered Mrs Olarke had been smitten as no other parson had been smitten, and here was a case to which they might well apply section 149 Of course there might be some outcry about it. Whenever did a man do a just or generous thing without people hurling stones at him? He moved that in thia instance the Council remit the rates. Or Dunlop seconded. He thought the taction of the Aot waa clear on the matter: that where any ratepayer through continued illness or accident is unable to pay rates the Council had full power to remit the tame. The case might well be dealt with under that section. Mre Clarke had been, for many kfllicied with rheumatism, and taking the other matters into consideration be thought they should remit the rates due this year, and it thia was done the properties hJ'ght be disposed of before next year. ~O r whilst regretting the situation Mrs Olarke was placed in, agreed with Cr Luoas. He could sae no reason why it would increase the hardship on Mrs Clarke to lot the matter stand over. She would not be called on to pay the rates, and taking into consideration the fact that there were other ratepayers in equally as bad circumstances—and possibly they might claim the same benefit —he thought it beet not to remit the rates. CirCMffitanoes. he hoped, would alter Mrs piarke'e position, when she would be able to

Fredeem her properties. Or Lucas said if the properties were mortgaged to their full value any remission ot rates would only benefit tha mortgagees. The amendment was then put and lout. For: The Mayor, Cre Whinray, and Dualop. Against: Ora Lucas, Coleman, Townley. Harding, and Joyce, The motion ol C< Lucas wts taluU cgrtied)