UNIMPROVED RATING.

Otaki Mail, 7 February 1919, Page 2

UNIMPROVED RATING.

POLL TO BE TAKEN AT OTAKI. At the monthly meeting of the Otaki Town Board last night a petition, forwarded by Mr J. Maekie, dealing with rating on unimproved value, was received, together with a letter from Mr P. J. O'Regan. The letter stated .that as there are, more than 200. but less than 800, ratepayers in the district, 20 per cent of signatures had to be attached to a requisition. After these were obtained and presented to the Board the chairman must order a poll within £8 days. Regarding valuations, the letter stated that Otaki's capita! value was £189,481, and the unimproved value £107,020. This meant that the value of the improvements in the district was £81,86L At present all rates were revenue derived from, capital valae, and at the rate of IJd.ia the £ the annual revenue from rates was £ll*4. If the new system was adopted the value of improvements f£SI,SOI) j would be totally exempted from rates, and £IIS-j would have to be raised

1 from the unimproved value f£107,020). The "rate would have to be increased from ljd in-'the £ to 2|d, practically double. It would be seen that all holders of unimproved land would have their Tales increased and holders of improved land have theirs reduced. The amoant of the benefit each improver would receive would depend on the value of his improvements. -The requisition presented contained i considerably over the required number I

of signatures. The chairman epnI sidored all public spirited mex should support the proposal; he -would do so, although it would double his rates. He considered 5< ihameful that a man who built a house and improved the appearance of the town should be charged. whfla those who did jnothing. ■ but rather retarded progress, should get oft \ iighr-y. He believed is creating a I I ■ This view ,»-a* rvppariefi \ij... otht-re, lite necoi-sirf-iiisps-to take a-polL ' o"'2egan, .of /WelJiugfervwho has'jua.de": a *pe-eial study of this subject. zvA \z, a recognised authority. -is to be ask&dtfccf deliver as! address, in OtaJd-prior, oi* ,: the-fefnng of the golL - -