MOUNT ALBERT RATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21223, 1 July 1932, Page 13

MOUNT ALBERT RATES.

SMALL RELIEF GRANTED.

DISCOUNT TO BE ALLOWED.

STRICT ECONOMY CLAIMED.

A reduction in the total rate from 3 5-8 d to 3 3-5 d in the pound, capital value, has been decided by the Mount Albert Borough Council after a searching scrutiny of the estimates. Tho reduction amounts to l-40th of a. penny.

In addition, the. annual charge for refuse removal has been reduced from 7s 6d to ss, and a discount of 2£ per cent, on rates levied will be allowed if payment is made within one month from the date of demand.

In presenting the recomendations of the Finance Committee to the council, Ihe chairman, Mr. R. Ferner, said the benefit to ratepayers on a typical valuation amounted to £1 10s per cent, of rates, compared willi reductions made by adjacent local bodies on a similar basis of £1 2s lid and £1 5s 7d per cent, respectively.

Total Indebtedness of £860,120.

Mr. Ferner said the public indebtedness of the borough was £860,120, and out of an estimated total rating yield of £81,106 (excluding water and sanitation charges) no less than £67,011, or, roughly, 13-16ths, represented debt charges and levies of other authorities. Thus, only £14,095 remained upon which economies could be effective. Some further relief would be afforded this year by the stamp duty yield on debentures, estimated to produce £3477. That, however, was offset by an increase of £3719 in the amount required for payment of interest and sinking fund on loan moneys previously expended. An unfortunate factor had been the necessity for maintaining so large a number of relief workers. That item cost the council £3300 last year and* some provision would also be required this year. It was recommended that a general rate of 39-100ths of a penny in the pound be struck. That was based on a capital value of £5,370,000 and was estimated to yield £8557, including provision of 10 per cent, for bad debts. The reduction on last year's general rate was 9-100ths of a penny.

The Lighting Sate.

A reduction of 3-100ths of a penny in the lighting rate, making the levy 21i-100lhs of a penny, was also recommended. An increase of l£-100ths of a penny in the hospital rate was necessary to meet an estimated increase in the levy of £177. An increase of lf lOOths of a penny in the drainage rate was also necessary to meet an increase in f,he Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board's levy of £253. A rate of of a penny, the same as last year, was required for the War Memorial Museum.

Special rates in respect of the borough's various loans were scheduled to yield £71,527. An increase of £3719 was necessary to cover principal, interest and sinking fund on last year's capital expenditure. On the other hand, £3477 would be received from stamp duty on debentures. It was recommended that the rates be struck as one consolidated rate of 3 3-5 d in the pound in lieu of the former practice of striking general, separate and special rates. A non-consumer's water rate of 2Jr per cent, on the annual value and a domestic rate of 5 per cent, on the annual value, those being the Siame as in previous years, were also recommended. Town Olerk Congratulated. A tribute was paid to the work done by the town clerk, Mr. T. R. Congalton, in preparing the schedules and supplying information to the committee. It was stated that on his own initiative the clerk had submitted the rating schedules in an improved form, and had made many valuable suggestions. At the council meeting which adopted the estimates, Mr. F. A. Jarratt said the 2£ per cent, discount would represent an appreciable saving to ratepayers. In the case of a £9OO valuation the concession would amount to 6s 104 rd. Other members of the council expressed appreciation of the committee's efforts. The Mayor, Mr. W. F. Stillwell, said the reduction of 9-100ths of a penny in the general rate represented a saving of oyer £2OOO, while the reduced refuse collection charge involved a concession of £615. The general account debit had been reduced by over £3OOO last year. He felt the council had achieved what it had embarked upon—strict economy and relief to the ratepayers. It was stated that the debit balance in the general fund would bo reduced by an estimated amount of £662. Although that was not nearly as great a reduction as was achievod last year, a greater reduction could only be made by increasing the rate.