AN INCREASING BURDEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 167, 14 June 1933, Page 2

AN INCREASING BURDEN

POWER BOARD’S PROPOSED RATE PROTEST VOICED. During a discussion on the means whereby the Kairanga County Council could raise its share of the cost of construction . of the Fitzherb'ert Avenue ■ bridge at a meeting of that body yesterday, the chairman (Cr. D. Coilis) remarked that since last meeting other developments had arisen for it would now appear that the Power Board intended striking a rate over its whole area which included the Kniranga County. Council. The council, perforce, would have to find its share of this rate anti it was going to be very unfair on the back settler who had not the power, for he would have to pay his share, just the same as the man with , the power. Cr J. Batehelar, in remarking that he had always been against loans, stated that in view of the position which had arisen as a result of the contemplated action by the Power Board, he would have to support the raising of a loan to meet the council’s share of the cost of the Fitzherbert bridge. The Power Board had proposed to levy a rate of l-16d in the £ and the Kairanga County Council would have to find £836. “Knowing the position of the ratepayers so well, 1 could not vote for the Power Board loan and on Monday afternoon appealed to my co-member (Mr N. Campbell) to support me. but he declined to do so. Mr Campbell does not possibly know the position' of the county and the ratepayers so well as I do, but I am nevertheless very surprised at his voting for it. It is a very unfair rate and 1 know there is not a ratepayer in this county who can afford an extra rate no matter how small it is.” Councillors: Hear! hear!

“In my opinion there is no need for the rate,” continued Cr Batehelar. “True, the Power Board showed a deficit of £3796, but on top of that the board has £SOOO interest money in hand pending the decision of a Supreme Court action. If it lias to find the additional sum as interest, then it will be time to impose the rate. Meantime, it is iniquitous.” concluded the speaker, “but I will have to vote for the loan for the bridge so as to allow for the striking of the Power Board rate.” Cr. Moody: Why did you not strike a special rate over the city ? Cr. Batehelar: Why interfere with a contract nnd antagonise the city? I would certainly like to see the whole area under the board. Cr. Hopcroft: Has the county to collect the Power Board rates just like the hospital rate? Cr. Batehelar: Yes. Cr Anderson: It is just as well the ratepayers should know whom they have put on the Power Board.