BURDEN OF LOAN RATES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17229, 8 April 1930, Page 8

BURDEN OF LOAN RATES

LEGISLATION ASKED FOR COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE REMITS A number of remits for the, coming counties’ conference were considered by the Waikoliu County Council at to-day s meeting. AH remits proposed were adopted. 'J ho Hrst was: — “That the Main Highways Board be given statutory authority to pay part or all of interest and sinking fund instalments on loans raised for the construction of main roads in cases where such payments constitute too heavy a tax upon the ratepayers.’’ Explaining tho remit, the county clerk, Mr. .J. G. Appleton, said that in some, cases loans had been raised when times were good, and only a few settlers were now bearing the burden. At present tlio Main Highways Board was unable to’ relieve them. He quoted one area in tlie county, the Koranga district, in which tlio rates were already nearly lOd in the £, and if any of the present settlers went out and land became vacant the burden on the remainder would be unbearable.

Other proposals were : "That legislation be asked for to prohibit the registration of any sale, agreement of sale, lease or agreement to lease until a certificate is obtainable from the rating authority certifying that all rates due bavo been paid.” “That legislation be passed requiring notice to be given to the first mortgagee of freehold or owner of leasehold property on which the rates are unpaid at the end of the Jinaucial year.”

The county cleric said that rates might pile up without a mortgagee or owner knowing, and ho might bo confronted eventually with a large bill for rates. 'Such a. provision would bo of assistance to mortgagees and owners. Or. J. Hope commented that a provision as suggested might also be a help to the council in getting in its rates.

The following already agreed to by the Cook County Council was also adopted : “That the Local Bodies Loans Act ho amended to give power to pay the cost of raising special order loans out of loan money.”