HARBOUR RATES REDUCED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 10

HARBOUR RATES REDUCED

DECISION BY ORUNAKE BOARD

TOWN AND COUNTRY AREAS

Harbour rate reductions of 3-32 d in the town area and l-32d in the couu(tiv area were decided upon at the j monthly meeting of the Opunake Har- . hour Board on Friday. The rates decided on were l o-16d in Opunake and i 7-16 d in the county, the revenue from which was estimated to Jeave a surplus of £T4. Those present were Messrs. J. S. Hickey (chairman), D. Mourie. C. R. Julian, It. C. Watson, W. A. Slieat and A. W. Wan. • The fact that the rates struck left no margin, and that their continuance at the present level woidd depend on the response of ratepayers, was mentioned by speakers. It was pointed out that the board would be depending largely on its £7OO reserve, a position which coidd not continue if much encroachment was made on reserve this year. However, it was stated that the bank overdraft should disappear this year and that in future rents totalling £2OO would bo available for the general account each year. Estimated receipts were: Arrears £450: rate from town district £1039; rate from E.gmont county and Waimato West county portions £1684 ; total £3183. Items ct' expenditure in-I eluded: Interest £2200; sinking fund j £550; bank interest and charges £IOO..

NO RESPONSIBILITY. I j Mr T. B. Foully, the board's solici- ; tor, forwarded correspondence from the Railway Department stating that the department had no responsibility for harbour board rates. On an official survey map of 1904 the land rated was shown as a. railway reserve, and therefore, the department’s letter stated, it could not accept an. unauthorised financial liability, such as harbour board rates. If the board was. successful in getting thej, tenants ot tlie land to accept responsibility, the department was willing to collect by an increased rent sufficient to pay the 1 rates, paying only the collected. Air Fouliy’s reply to the department pointed out that the arrangement was not satisfactory and that the tenants, if not the department, were liable. A test case is to lie held hit decide the question. The letter also stated thac the department’s offer of .-£27 10s for town board rates had been accepted.