HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF RATE COLLECTION

Northern Advocate, 31 March 1937, Page 10

HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF RATE COLLECTION

Whangarei County Council Finances Figui'es x’eleased at the end of the financial year show the Whangarei County Council to be in a sound position. The percentage of general rates (European) collected for the year 1936-37 equalled 86.57. For the previous year the collection was 81.63 per cent, and in 1931-32 it was 85.33 per cent, the highest since pre-depression levels. The average collection for the year, jusr closed would have been higher but for the fact that applications for relief have been lodged with the Court of Review by some ratepayers. Payment of rates in such Instances has been withheld until the applications are dealt with by the court. But for this, it is considered that the collection would have topped 90 per cent. In the various ridings the percentage of collection was:—

Hikurangi, 83.34 per cent; Kh’ipaka. 86.09; Maunu, 94.12; Mangakahia, 66,24; Mangapai, 87.42; Maungakaramea, 91.70; Manaia, 85.14; Wairua, 89; Otonga, 81.33; Waipu, 93. Today a sum of £2161 was left outstanding in European rates. At March 31, 1936, rates outstanding amounted to £2269, of which £1460 were paid in touring the year. The arrears of previous years collected totalled £476. The average general rate per ratepayer (European) levied last year was £5 2/6, as compared with £lO 8/ per ratepayer in 1928-29. Of the current general rate collected (£13,947) £4QBO was paid to the hospital board, leaving £8966 for county purposes. Native rates outstanding total £990. Out of a total harbour board rate of £2883 levied for the year, £2459, or 85.26 per cent was collected. The percentage collected in the two previous years was 81 and 79,44.