THE FINAL ESTIMATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 13

THE FINAL ESTIMATES.

TRANSPORT IN AUCKLAND. COST OF THE COMMISSION. WIDE VARIETY OF ITEMS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Monday. A further sum of £2IOO is provided in tho Supplementary Estimates for the payment of tho costs of tho Auckland Transport Commission. This, with the sum of £2OOO which was provided in the main Estimates, brings the cost of tho commission up to £4IOO. Other items in the Supplementary Estimates include the following:— Tho To Kuiti Racing Club is granted remission of £939 penal interest accrued as a result of delay in tho payment of taxes in respect of its meeting in Lebruary, 1927. Grant of £3OOO as a compassionate allowance to Lady Sim, widow of tho late Mr. Justice Sim. Grant of £SOO toward the expenses of tho New Zealand team at tho Olympic Games Subsidy to tho Jubilee Institute for the Blind (additional), £221. Additional grant to tho General Assembly Library, whoso voto has remained constant over several decades, £2OO. Assistance toward prospecting for gold. £4884, and assistance for tho Rising Sua public battery (on account), £IOOO. Purchase of land in connection with the Taupo fisheries (additional), £415. Publicity in England for New Zealand produce, £IOOO. Tasman flight aviators, £2OOO. Board of Maori Arts and Crafts, £SOO and Polynesian Society, £250. St. .Mary's Home, Otahuhu, for reformative work, £2OO. Parliamentary delegation to Canada (expenses), £IOOO. Beautification of area in the vicinity of Mr. Massey's grave at Point Halswcll (additional), £4OOO. Auckland Commercial Travellers' appeal for poor and needy, £1 for £1 subsidy up to £2OO, grant of £2OO Expenses of committee which inquired into the adequacy of the accommodation, etc., for tuberculous patients, £IOOO. Expenses in connection with the visit to New Zealand of Sir John Salmond. £4OO Expenses of tho Industrial Conference (additional), £IOOO. Payment of special rates on unoccupied farms under tho administration of the Lands Department, £SOOO FARMS IN BOROUGHS. REMOVAL OF ANOMALIES'. LEGISLATION POSTPONED. [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Monday. Legislation to give relief to owners of farms within boroughs has been postponed, according to a statement made by the Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, 'in the House to-day. The Minister said it had been impossible to have the necessary drafting done in time to cover adequately all tho matter arising out of the commission's exceedingly valuable reports. The reports had been circulated to all city and . borough councils, and so far criticism of a directly adverse nature had been practically negligible. Those responsible for local body government in towns affected agreed in the main that real injustices existed in many localities which under the present laws were incapable of being met or removed. Further investigation by tho departments chiefly concerned went to show that amendments to the Valuation Act were also required before adequate provision could be made to overcome fully the difficulties. " I have therefore to state that after reviewing all the circumstances the Government is compelled to hold over legislation until such time as it has had a full opportunity of going into the commission's recommendations," said the Minister. "I will consult with my officers in preparation for next session of legislation which it is hoped will provide facilities to remove as far as possiblo the existing anomalies and hardships." As illustrating tho need of some amending legislation on this subject the Minister quoted from a letter he had that day received from at Takapuna. The writer said: "I havo a 60 acres farm at Takapuna. It is in the Borough of Takapuna, which recently carrica rating on the unimproved value. I havo got a rate notice demanding £389 for rates. The property is a farm and has been since settlement took place and is likely to be for a very considerable period, yet tho greatest return it has ever made is £6 a week gross."