Harbor Board.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 136, 22 October 1895, Page 3

Harbor Board.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meetiug of the Harbor Board was held at 11 o'clock on Saturday for the purpose of passing a resolution giving notice of striking the rate. Present —Messrs Maxwell (chairman), Bluck, Ward, Saiten, Shearer, Ralfe and Davies. The Secretary read the following statement which he had prepared showing what the revenue would be on a £d in the £ rate : Clifton County—42l ratepayers on roll ; value of rateable property, £207,123 ; amount of rate at £d iu £, £539 7s Oid. Hawera County—On roll, 1034; rateable value, £780,934 ; amount of rate, £2033 13s 2^d. New Plymouth—On roll, 646 ; rateable value £404,274 ; amount of rate, £1052 15s 9d. Stratford County—On roll, 1105 ; rateable value, £605,451 ; amount of rate, £1576 14s 9d. Taranaki County—On roll, 2500; rateable value, £963,374 ; amount of rate, £2508 12s lid. Totals—On roll, 5706; rateable value, £2,961,186; amount of rate, £7711 3s Bd.

The Secretary also showed the native lands, which could not be taken into account. The figures were : Clifton County—£63,Bßs rateable value ; amount of rate, £166 7s 3£d. Hawera County—£47,44l rateable value ; amount of rate, £123 10s lHd. Taranaki County—£97,sß4 rateable value ; amount of rate, £254 2s 6d ; Totals—Rateable values, £208,910; amount of rate, £544 Os 9d.

The Secretary said that ho had prepared the native land figures to show what the rate would be in case legislation was passed empowering the trustee to pay half rates on native lands, as he had seen there was a reference made to such a matter. The liabilities shown were :—Sinking Fund Commisioners, £IOO9 16s ; arrears of interest, 1800; half-year's interest to May 1, £6OOO ; costs, say, £250 ; total, £9059 16s.

The Secretary pointed out that under the present legislation they could not take into account the native lands, but it would be seen that a -£d rate would realise £7711, against £9059 required, hub they had to take into into account two quarters of the land revenue. The Secretary added that the revenue for the last quarter had been the highest since March, 1883. The Chairman said that it would appear that a 5-8 d rate would with the land revenue be sufficient to meet the requirements. Mr Ealfc moved a formal resolution giving notice of striking the rate for 1895-96 at |d in the £ on the capital value instead of Jd iu the £ as heretofore. Mr Ward seconded tho motion, which was carried. HARBOR AREA MAP. The Secretary was authorised to enlarge the harbor rating area map to take in lands not uow appearing ou it. The Board adjourned.—Herald.