NEW LYNN RATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22144, 25 June 1935, Page 10

NEW LYNN RATES

COUNCIL'S PEOBLEM FALL IN VALUATION INDIVIDUAL REDUCTIONS SPREADING THE BURDEN A decision to strike a consolidated rate of 2s in the pound, leviable on 75 per cent of the values appearing in the valuation roll, to all those ratepayers who have not had their property valuations reduced since the last district valuation in 1931, was made at a meeting of the New Lynn Borough Council last night. This means that the rate will correspond to a rate of Is 6d in the pound on the 1931 values, which was the same rate as.that levied for 1933. Ratepayers who have obtained reductions since 1931 still have an advantage of a 10 per cent lower rate. An alternative proposal before the council was an increase in the rate of 2d in the pound, compared with last year, thereby making a rate of Is 7£d in tho pound, as against Is 5Jd last year. The council resolved to adopt the other proposal, so that the burden would be more evenly spread. The position arose owing to the continued fall in the rateable value of the borough. At the last district valuation in 1931 the rateable value was £212,000, and since then there has been a decrease of £25,000, of which £6OOO has occurred since last year. In many cases ratepayers have had two reductions in values since 1931, and in all 216 properties have been reduced in valuation by an average of 35 per cent.

" The problem before the council is to deal fairly with an awkward situation, as there are over 800 ratepayers who have had no reductions since 1931," said the Mayor, Mr. G. Lawson. "In adopting any increase we must consider all our ratepayers. Next year a complete revaluation of the borough will be made, and all ratepayers will then have equal opportunity to adjust their values through the Assessment Court without any personal cost. "The lowest revenue required to meet the borough's demands is £13,500, of which nearly £9OOO is taken up in fixed charges, leaving £4500 to provide for the general maintenance of the borough. To keep within tho bounds of this amount, it is essential for the council to administer the borough on prudent and economic lines." " It is embarrassing for the council to contend with different values each year," said Mr. C. Drury. " Once the value is fixed it should stand for a period." " The council has to meet its obligations and we must think of the ratepayers as a body," said Mr. Lawson. " Some people have had a 40 per cent reduction in rates. It is the worst possible thing for the values to fall so much." " With the valuation next year, the rateable value will probably drop to £130,000," said the town clerk, Mr. N. R. Cathie. " The borough debt is now £124.000." " Yes, there will probably be a 2s 6d rate next year," concluded the Mayor.