REBATE ON RATES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1935, Page 6

REBATE ON RATES

EXCLUSIVELY FOR FARMERS. OTHER PROPERTIES EXCLUDED. The Eltham County Council received on Saturday a reply from the secretary of the Treasury to its application for a subsidy of 121 per cent, on rates. It was stated that the claim was being investigated. “A cursory examination of the list oi properties not entitled to receive the rebate discloses that only such properties as dairy factories, halls, etc., have been included,” the letter stated, “and I am surprised that there are no properties in the county used for other business purposes (country stores, hotels, etc.) or such properties as racecourses, showgrounds or golf courses; not to mention properties used principally or exclusively for residential purposes. I would point out that where a property is used principally for any of the purposes named, that is, where the chief source of income of the occupiers is from other than farming activities, even though there may be a small area of farming land included, no subsidy is payable.” The clerk, Mr- A. Tiplady, pointed out there were no hotels, showgrounds, racecourses or golf courses within the county. The chairman, Cr. A. L. Campbell, added that the subsidy was not payable on dairy factory properties. Cr. R. J. Knuckey contended that dairy companies were part and .parcel of the producers and should receive the rebate. The chairman replied that as the rating was on the unimproved value the amount paid by dairy companies was comparatively small. ELTHAM COUNTY OFFICES. ALTERATION TO BOARD ROOM. Considerable alterations were made to the Eltham County chambers during the holidays, and on Saturday the council met in an enlarged board room. The clerk’s offices have been removed from the left hand side and placed on the opposite side of the building. The old board room has been divided between the engineer and the clerk, and both are situated on the best lighted side. The engineer’s old office has been converted into a public office with an open counter facing the passage, way. The new board room occupies the space previously occupied by the clerk and gives more space than the old room on the other side of the building. “I hope the councillors will enjoy this larger boaiti room much better,” said the chairman, Cr. A. L. Campbell, as councillors assembled at Saturday’s meeting. “We will get on very well in this room if we do not have too many loud speakers,” said Cr. Knuckey in reference to the accoustic properties of the room. It was pointed out that these would be improved by putting down cork matting. PERSONAL ITEMS. Adjutant S. Smith, who has been appointed to succeed Adjutant H. J. Parkinson as Salvation Army officer at Eltham, will take up his duties on Wednesday. Scout Rob. Ward, one of the Eltham Scouts visiting the Melbourne jamboree, has contracted diphtheria and is unable to return with others of the South Taranaki party, who left for home last week. GENERAL ITEMS. Amateur-built Speed Boat. Another addition to the fleet of Taranaki’s speed boats has been made by a young Eltham resident, Mr. Richards, son of Mr. S. Richards, who has constructed a craft it} his spare time. The boat is of the square bow punt design and has been fitted with an old engine from a disused motor-car. It is expected that the boat will develop a good speed. Eltham County Overdraft £6OOO. “The overdraft of the Eltham County Council is nearly £6000,” said the chairman, Cr. A. L. Campbell, at the meeting of the council on Saturday. “This amount is much larger than it has been for some years, and we will have to do something to collect more rates.” It was resolved to advertise the penalty on overdue rates and to appeal to settlers. Conversion of Loans. A special meeting of the Eltham County Council is to be held on January 26, the subject for consideration being the conversion of loans. The clerk, Mr. A. Tiplady, explained to the meeting on Saturday that some time was required to consider the position and obtain the required informaton, and he believed the matter could best be dealt with at a special meeting, which was agreed to. Short Shorts for Girls. Something ultra modem in feminine holiday attire attracted considerable attention in Broadway, Stratford, on Saturday morning. Clad in the very shortest of green shorts, an open necked shirt, and shoes but no socks, a passing camper who alighted for a few minutes entirely put in the shade her companion, who was modestly attired in brilliant blue slacks. Narrow Escape from Injury. A remarkable escape from serious injury was experienced by S. Pauling, Patea, when engaged in a cricket match at Victoria Park, Stratford, on Saturday. He was fielding in slips, and, as the batsman missed a fast ball from J. Archer, he moved towards the wicketkeeper. The ball glanced off the ’keeper’s toe and struck Pauling a severe blow in the eye. He was wearing glasses, and the ball smashed one lens completely, but the only injury received was a cut just below the eye. No attention was necessary, and the cricketer resumed play after a brief spell, minus half his spectacles. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. The 250 people who attended the first carnival night at Lowgarth have been eagerly awaiting a second. The date for this has been fixed for Wednesday, January 23. The tennis club committee has improved considerably upon the arrangements, and a good deal of the profits was devoted to the establishment of a much superior system for the flood lighting of the courts. Some of the attractions prepared are the paper hat dance, the mystery train (there will be a sensational dramatic effect for the winner in this number) the paper bag excuse-me and other mysteries. Free ’buses will run from Stratford.