BIRKENHEAD VALUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 1509, 16 January 1914, Page 9

BIRKENHEAD VALUATION.

UNIMPROVED RATING.

NEW ROLL WANTED.

BinKRNHFAn several months ago adopted the system of rating on unimproved values, and the new system will come into force on April 1.

The rates will be struck on the basis of the Government valuations, but, as another valuation of the district is about to be undertaken by the Valuation Department, the council is anxious that this should be proceeded with at once. It will then be in a position to place loan proposals before the ratepayers for road improvements, the special rate in connection with which it is desired to 6trike under the new system.

In reply to the council's letter, the Valuation Department wrote that the valuation roll could not be made up until some time after March 31.

When the letter came before the council. Mr. F. M. King said that the whole work of the borough would be put back if the valuations were not supplied immediately. They could hardly put loan proposals before the ratepayers without giving individual ratepayers some idea of what tney would pay, but this would be practically impossible, as it was several years since the last Government valuation was made.

The Mayor : We must put loan proposals before the ratepayers prior to March 61 to put. ourselves in order with the Audit Department. However, in order to remove any misconception, he would like to make it clear that the council intended to reduce the general rate by a corresponding amount of the special rate required for the payment of interest and sinking fund. Mr. C. E. Campbell pointed out that the increased values would also render it needless to increase the rates.

It was decided to write to the Minister for Internal Affairs about the valuation, and endeavour to hasten the compilation of the roll.