IN DEFENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6851, 22 June 1909, Page 8

IN DEFENCE

NORTHLAND AND ITS RATES. KARORI PRESSING FOR PAYMENT. Although Northland has been included in Greater Wellington for twelve months or more, there has not been an adjustment of rates between the Karori Borough—to which Northland formerly, belonged—and the Wellington City Council. The Northland Municipal Electors* Association had been agitating for a settlement for a considerable time, and tho matter was further discussed at a meeting in the schoolroom last evening. Mr J. Aston, who presided, said the residents' did not want to evade any liability, but they strongly objected to paying rates to Karori when that body had no jurisdiction over Northland. He pointed out that Karori had made a final demand for the tramway and recreation ground rates, and that some of tho residents had been written to by the Karori Borough's legal advisers demanding payment forthwith, and asking for six and eightponce in addition to the amount for rates. The eolocitors also intimated that if tho amounts were not paid proceedings would be taken. He explained that when Eastbourne broke away from the Kutt a somewhat similar position had arisen. An adjustment .was, made, but instead of tho ratepayers paying certain rates to the llutt County they paid their duos, to tho. clerk of the Eastbourne Borough Council, and subsequently that person handed over a cheque ‘ for the full amount duo to tho .clerk of -the llutt County. There was no question of the ratepayers paying the rates to two separate bodies.

A desultory discussion ensued. Some members were iuclinjed to let the matter drop just now, seeing that the City Council had decided to apply for a commission, and that the solicitors’ letters lO ratepayers had been written prior to the last meeting of tho City Council. a reply to a question concerning the length el time it wumd take for tho coinmission to adjudicate, the chairman remarked, ‘‘if tho Town Clerk and City Solicitor put us much energy into it ns they have during the last twelve months it will not be much this side of Christmas.”

,t was finally decided to let the matter stand at present, lint a committee is set up to take immediate action in > way of defending a case it Karori ssuod a summons against any ratepayer.