RATING PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22449, 19 June 1936, Page 12

RATING PROBLEM

RANGITAIKI DRAINAGE NATIONALISING OF COST REQUEST MADE BY SETTLERS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHAKATANE, Thursday About 200 ratepayers of tho Rangitaiki land drainage district met in the Edgocumbo Presbyterian Hall last night to discuss tho nationalisation of tho Rangitaiki drainage scheme, payment of rates, and other questions. Tho chairman, Mr. J. W. Sumner, said that the deputation which had gono to Wellington at tho end of April had stated to tho Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, a case for the nationalisation of tho capital cost of the drainage scheme, and tho allocation to tho Rangitaiki land drainage district ratepayers of tho liability for tho effective maintenance, under a drainage board, of tho scheme. A motion was carried confirming the action of the committeo in approaching the Government for nationalisation of the capital cost of tho scheme, as being tho only practical solution of tho problems confronting tho settlors. In a further motion tho meeting expressed tho opinion that tho ratepayers should bo represented by at least three men to watch their interosts when the sub-committoo set up from tho Cabinet, as proposed by the Prime Minister, considered the settling ojj the Rangitaiki rate problem, and it therefore asked the Prime Minister to grant tho ratepayers that representation. In reply to a previous request that tho summonses for arrears of rates should be doferred until the final settlement, tho Prime Minister replied that he had conferred with the Minister of Lands, tho Hon. F. Langstone, but it was agreed that tho summonses were necessary to conserve the Crown's claim. Tho Minister promised to investigate tho Rangitaiki drainage district rating question as soon as tho Cabinet had disposed of urgent national problems. It was decided that it bo a recommendation from tho meeting that the member for the district be urged to have tho Government open to traffic tho Murupara-Rangitaiki Hotel road. The meeting also decided that the Government be requested to build an up-to-date post offico on tho Edgecumbo post office site.