NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR RATE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1643, 6 June 1887, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR RATE.

To the Editor or the Star.

Sir, — I see by a notification in to-day's issue of your paper that the New Plymouth Hnrbor Board intend levying a rate of ljd in the .£ on the selling value on the rateable property within the New Plymouth harbor rating district. The board professes to have the power vested in it of so doing. I was under the impression that the power vested in the board was to levy a shilling in the pound on annual value and nothing more. If live percent, of the selling value is taken as the annual value, which, I believe, most judges will admit is as close an approximation as can be arrived nt. If this is admitted, the board is attempting to levy, instead of Is in the £ on annual value, Is 3d, adding one-fifth to what I understand the New Plymouth Harbor Bill gives them power to collect. If land is valued at £10 per acre to sell, l^d in the £ is 74d per acre of rate at the selling value. If rated at leasing value, ICM per acre, the rate would be Gd per acre, accoiding to what the rating clause in the bill stated. If there has been no alteration made in the Act, this extra threepence is an illegal imposition, and cannot be enforced. And, if the clause in the Act referring tq the rate has been altered, it is likewise illegal — a breach of bargain — and cannot be upheld. Will you kindly oblige me and the readers of the Star by notifying if you know if any alteration has been made in the New Plymouth Harbor Board Bill in connection with the rating clause ? — I am, &c, Wilson Milnk. June 3.