Draft Estimates

Hutt News, Volume 21, Issue 2, 12 June 1946, Page 7

Draft Estimates

LOWER HUTT CITY COUNCIL

TENTATIVE RATE, 3/5 in £

The finance committee reported (o the Lower Hutt City Council on Monday night that at its last meeting draft, estimates for the year ;!!ii(i/47 were distributed and discussed in detail. The Mayor stated that due to the uncertainty as to

the system ot rating which was to operate during the year it would be impossible to make a definite statement regarding the rate to he struck, but that draft estimates had been prepared on the assumption that the rate would be levied on the annual value. If the Court of Appeal ruled that rates for the current year should be levied on the capital value it would be necessary 'o call an emergency meeting of the Council, as a further reduction in expenditure would then be necessary, cit.e to the loss of rates in res >ect of State rental houses occupied uuriug the previous year. Councillor Gregory expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the iraft estimates had been presented and stated that the detail given had simplified the work of the Committee. The estimates as amended were adopted by the committee wi'h the recommendation that the rate be tentatively fixed at 3/5 in the £ consolidated, and 4d. in the Z water rate. The City Treasurer was instructed to prepare amended schedules for submission to the Council for adoption. "Approved," not "Adopted." When the committee's report was brought before the City Council on Monday night Cr. Horlor objected to the word "adopted." Only the Council in open meeting could adopt the estimates. He urged that *he estimates be discussed at the meeting. On the Mayor's motion the word "adopted''' was altered to 'approved." He said that he would make a full statement when the Court of Appeal decision on the ratiag .system was made known; it was impossible to discuss the estimates uiuil the Court had made its decision. Cr. Horlor's motion that v.be recommendation of the committee be not received did. not receive a seconder, and the report was approved The case for a clarity judgment regarding the validity of the Lower Hutt City Council's change In rating system from capital value to annual value was set down for hearing in the Court of Appeal yesterday. Mr. C. H. Hain, president of the Lower Hutt Ratepayers' Association, was named as nominal defendant.