DRAINAGE MERGER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23060, 10 June 1938, Page 18

DRAINAGE MERGER

NEW EATING PROBLEMS

DIFFICULTIES AT TAUPIRI SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATIONS [from our own correspondent] • HAMILTON, Thursday "A good deal lias been said about the advantages of amalgamating local bodies, but those proposing such schemes have no idea of the extraordinary difficulties that follow amalgamation," said Mr. L. R. AV. Reid, chairman of the Taupiri Drainage and River Board at a mooting to-day. He explained that when the Taupiri Board absorbed the districts of several other drainage boards two years ago it found that each board had its own internal system of drainage apart from the main government scheme.

Each board had separate rating classifications and different methods of calculating the basis on which rates should bo struck, continued Mr. Reid. The various special rating areas gradually lost their identity after amalgamation, and endless difficulty had been encountered in endeavouring to assess the rates in the merged areas on an equitable basis. Many anomalies occurred and had to be adjusted. Mr. Reid said that Courts had given different rulings as to methods of applying the classification, and a good deal of confusion existed as to the best means to be adopted. Eventually, it was hoped that one system of classification nnd rating would be evolved for application over the whole of the board's area, but that would take time. "The board aims at securing absolute equity and permanence, and building up its classification and rating system on a firm foundation," concluded Mr. Reid.

fhe board deferred consideration of a classification list respecting the Ten Foot Area particularly until legal advice could be obtained.