DRASTIC MEASURES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1857, 4 September 1923, Page 5

DRASTIC MEASURES.

COLLECTING ARREARS OF RATES

“PERSONAL LIABILITY.”

The Te Kuiti Borough councillors were again reminded of that bugbear of all local bodies, the personal liability clause, last nighty when the following letter, addressed to the Council, was read, by the town clerk (Mr J. Kiernan): — “Re Arrears of Rates.—A sum of £2OOO was estimated to be collected during the current year, and up to date £943 4s has been received. As we are now nearly half way through the year and the non-collection of the amount carries a personal liability for each member of the Council, I respectfully suggest that the time has arrived for more drastic steps to be taken. Although £2OOO was the amount set down for collection, we should really aim at collecting considerably more, and to do so will mean exhausting every legal remedy. “It is needless for me to point out the precarious position of the finances of the borough, and unless every effort is made this year it means that no work can be done outside during the whole of tlie next financial year.

“I therefore suggest that the borough solicitors be given instructions to apply lor writs of sale, wherever the necessary time has expired, and in the meantime that all titles he searched, where rates are outstanding, with the object of putting pressure on the mortgagee. I am personally of the opinion that the sooner we get to know whether these rates can be collected or not the better it will be for all concerned, and I am satisfied that the measures outlined will help towards that end.”

Cr Boddie said that events had proved that many ratepayers did not realise the Council’s position. He thought the fullest publicity should be given the town clerk’s letter, in order that ratepayers could see that it was no good writing to the Council to reduce their rates, etc. lie moved that the Press be asked to give the town clerk’s letter the fullest publicity.

The motion was seconded and carried without discussion.