RUSH TO PAY RATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19221, 9 January 1926, Page 10

RUSH TO PAY RATES.

AVOIDING THE PENALTY'.

CITY TREASURY BENEFITING.

COLLECTIONS TOTAL : £23 4,593

The rush of city property-owners" to pay their annual general rates has commenced 'in earnest. Hundreds of ratepayers have been visiting the city treasurer's office at the Town Hall every day since the business holidays ended, and a total of £20,703 was paid over the counter during ; the first four day 3 this week. Strictly speaking the rates now being paid became due. last July, but a period of six months and 14 days may elapse before the 10 per cent, penalty becomes operative. It is to avoid the penalty that those business firms and, individual ratepayers who have neglected attending to their obligations until the last moment are now hastening to pay. Although the payment of rates is always a laggard task with most people, they have been a little more prompt in this matter than they were a year ago. Up to December 31 a total of £213,890 had been paid into the treasury, an increase of £17,000 compared with tho preceding year. The position as regards unpaid rates is that up to last Thursday, the city treasurer, had received, £234,593 of the total collectable levy of £381,583. Tho sum of £146,990 thus remains to be paid and it may bo expected that the bulk of iit will be receivecl during tho early part of next week.