RATE COLLECTIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19025, 27 May 1936, Page 4

RATE COLLECTIONS

GRANTING OF SUBSIDY

HELP TO COUNCILS EFFECT OF LEGISLATION “The granting by the previous Government of 12$ per cent subsidy on rates -was again of considerable assistance to the farming, community and was greatly appreciated by those whoso lands are used solely ,or principally for agricultural, horticultural, or pastoral purposes,’’ stated the chairman, Cr. Charles Matthews, in his annual report to the Cook County Council to-day. “Of the amount of rates struck—£37,l77 —the sum of £30,846 has been collected, £B9O was allowed as discount for prompt payment, while £1303 from the 12$ per cent subsidy mentioned above has been credited to accounts of ratepayers who have not yet met their responsibilities to the council, £29 was written, off, and there is therefore only the sum of £4109, or 11.05 per cent., of the 1935-36 rate outstanding. Of arrears of rates as at the opening of the .financial, year thefe has been collected £3716; the comparison therefore between figures at March 31, 1935, and March 31, 1936, is £12,160, as against £12,395. A further sum of £341 would have been paid by one of the. mercantile firms, but owing to the operation of the Rural Muptgagors Final Adjustment Act this is withheld until .Tune 30, or the end of thu budgeting period. ... “Certain legislation has been en-. acted which has had an effect on rate collections, and if this is continued will have further effect.

“The Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act makes provision for any rural mortgagor to plaee his position before a Court of Review. If this court is satisfied that such action is warranted, a stay order is issued. This order has the effect of protecting the applicant from any adverse action for a period of five years. It has, however, the advantage of assuring, to the local body, rates for the current year provided that returns from the property are sufficient to meet reasonable living expenses and rates. One disadvantage in most eases is that no payments are made until the end of the Budget year, and consequently rates that are assured are not paid until after the end of the county’s financial year. This effect is seen in the ease of three of our larger ratepayers this year.’’