MUST BE PAID

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21624, 9 April 1940, Page 6

MUST BE PAID

Kerbing Accounts Council To Take Immediate Action “Ths amount originally owing by property owners for kerbing and channelling was £3.853 of which to March 31. 1940. £2.105 had been collected. leaving an outstanding balance of £1.748.” stated the Town Clerk. Mr E. A. Killick. in a report to the Timaru Borough Council last night “A reason for this large amount of outstandings,” explained Mr Killick. "was the fact that the right of the Council had been challenged by one of the debtors, and the Council had taken proceedings against him, and the hearing, had been postponed from time to time while various legal opinions were being obtained by the debtor, who apparently was advised on every occasion that he had not a case against the Council, as he eventually decided not to defend the case and paid the amount owing. "However, a great number of people were waiting the result of the case and it is a pity, from the Council's point of view," remarked Mr Killick. “that the case did not come to Court as the necessary publicity would have then been given showing that these amounts have to be paid. I consider . that immediate action should now be ! taken against those p reens, who have ' made no endeavour at all to meet I these accounts.” The Mayor, Mr W. G. Tweedy, said • that the Council proposed to take i direct action in the matter of unpaid i kerbing and channelling accounts. | There had been a feeling that the Council would not enforce the col--1 lection of the accounts and that the Council did not possess the legal right :to do so. The fact should be clearly ‘ understood that the Council had the power to collect these accounts. I Although one or two ratepayers had ! taken legal opinions in no case had | a defence been proceeded with, so it i was clear that there was no defence to the claims. It was advisable that ' the Council should correct the misi understanding, and, if it were made ' clear then there was no excuse for | people ignoring the Council’s requests i for payment. Cr H. J. Mathers remarked that as the matter had been clarified by the le~al opinions no doubt there would be no further trouble. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the Council decided that immediate action be taken in regard to these who had made no endeavour to pay the amount owing.