NEW RATING AMENDMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18218, 11 October 1922, Page 10

NEW RATING AMENDMENT.

INDUCEMENT TO PAY EARLY. PROVISION FOR A REBATE. [BT TJLKQRAPH.-—SPECIAL RSPORTEB.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Power to impose additional charges in respect of unpaid rates is conferred on local bodies in the Rating Amendment Bill introduced to the to-day. It provides that an additional charge of 5 per cent, may be added to all rates unpaid at the expiration of three months ana 14 days from demand, and an additional charge of 10 per cent, may be added to all rates unpaid at the expiration of six months and 14 days from demand, although the additional charge shall not be recoverable until the local body has given public notification that the extra charge is to be added. Local bodies may, however, by resolution allow a rebate for prompt payment the rebate not to exceed 5 per cent, of the amount of rates paid within 30 days of the due . Another clause of the Bill provides that, where the system of rating on the unimproved value was in force prior to October 21, 1911, and where a poll on the issue had not been taken, the local authority may, by special order, declare that the system shall apply to water, gas, electric light, sewerage, and hospital and charitable aid rates, as well as other rates leviable under the principal Act. Until a special order is made, all these rates, where they are required to be levied on the capital value, shall be levied on the capital value as appearing on the valuation roll; where they are required to be levied on the annual value, the annual value shall be deemed to be a sura equal to 6 per cent, of the capital value. Section 11 of the principal Act, relating to the liability for rates in the case ol companies or co-partners, is extended to apply to any society or association of persons, whether corporate or incorporate, in the same manner as it applies to companies. In the event of failure to nominate a person as occupier of the property, the chairman or secretary shall be deemed to bo the occupier. Under the principal Act rates overdue for two years could not be recovered. The Bill proposes to extend this period to four years.