DID RATES GO UP?

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1140, 21 July 1930, Page 5

DID RATES GO UP?

“ POLITICIANS YOU WILL MEET.” Various Opinions. The question as to whether -the rates for the Matamata Town Board district had been raised or not tins year would appear to rest solely on the angle from which the subject was viewed. ( This became apparent when the matter was again thrashed out at Monday’s meeting of the board, when Mr. Stewart stated that although the valuation of one of his properties had been reduced from £960 to £BSO he was levied with 8s 3d more on his rate notice. The chairman remarked that that was because the valuations had not decreased in the same ratio as the increase in rate. Mr. Stewart : But the rates have gone up. The Chairman : On your section. Mr. Stewart : How did you come to make the statement that the rates had not increased? The Chairman : It was quite correct, The amount of rates collected on all properties is not in excess of the amount collected last year. Mr. Mclntyre : Of course the rate has gone up. The Chairman : Yes, the rate, but not the rates. What about the large numbers whose rates have decreased ? Mr. Ruthe : There are no Town Board members included. (Laughter.) Mr. Mclntyre : Some are paying more to make up for those who have had reductions. The Chairman : If there had been no fresh valuation there would have been no increase in rate. If there is any grouch coming it is because the Valuation Department has not reduced the valuations uniformly. The chairman asked the clerk who got the benefits. The Clerk : The farming community mostly. Mr. Mclntyre : Most people thought the new valuations would reduce their rates and they now find that they are disappointed. • < Mr. Stewart : The position seems to be that a man has to be wide awake and object each time he gets his rate notice. The Chairman: That is it.. ... - The • discussion then dropped.