COUNTY RATING.

Te Puke Times, 24 June 1921, Page 2

COUNTY RATING.

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

A meeting of County ers, convened by Mr Lally, war held in the Alliance Hail on Tuesday last to consider the proposal Of the Tauranga County Council to strike atiflat rate of seven farthings throughout tne whole County. Mr King was voted to the chair, and called on . Mr Lally to open the proceedings’/ ,

Mr Lally prefaced his remarks - by reading the statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure for the current year, which he criticised severely. JHe pointed out that under the new Counties Act which came into force in April last a separate rate could not be struck in any of the rid-/' - ings except by petition. Under the proposal of the Council there was nothing to show thatanything \vas allocated for any of the by-wads in the county. It was simply a fiat rate throughout the whole county, and the Katikati and Te Puke road districts were called on to pay a similar rate notwithstanding that a rater was levied for their roads. How were the other ridings going to maintain their by-roads. He held that each Councillor* should be asked what rate was necessary ' for the upkeep of roads in his riding and that -the amount should have been added to a small geueral rate. He read section 120 of the 'Counties Act, showing that while a Council could make a flat rate over the whole. county, such rate should not exceed 3d in the £ on the capital value or its equivalent, and l|d in town or road districts. Section 131 provided that the Council eath year should apportion uie gross income from all sources other than separate or other soeeial rates. Although there was no authority for a special rot& without a petition they could make a general rate and add to it what was required . for each riding. Nearly two-thirds of the revenue was provided by the ridings on this side of the harbour. The Act’ v distinctly stated that the Council 1 should levy a rate i a each riding* Cr Vercoe said he had been advised not to answer any questions) but he was a supporter of a flat rate. What did ratepayers want f Good roads and less rates. If thev were not satisfied let them - merge the Road Board and then get a flat rate. He quoted Franklin county where ridings levied separate rates for the by-roads. Mr Lilly :>Mr Vercoe still ad- i vocates a: flat rate. His intemre- / taiion is cuat ail should pay the same rate, notwithstanding that one riding wanted more than another Ha did not think the ratepayers would concur, t JLu reply to Mr Neal, Cr Vercoe said that the Waimapu -Riding paid heavier rates than any portion of the County. It was ridiculous to say that he had gone over to Tauranga.

In reply to the Chairman, Cr. Vercoe said he favoured riding accounts. He maintained that the local ridings got everything they were entitled to.

The Chairman said'that a flat rate meant the revenue going into a pool. In view of the factvjT that the Maketu Riding contribu- \ ted the largest amoUnt it was obvious that it should have the largest amount spent in its area, If there was no balance Maketu would suffer an injustice. Mr Lally : If the system is passed not a penny can be allocated for a separate riding, and they could not claim anything. • Mr H. A. Vercoe did not see what benefit they were going to derive bv having the rate raised in the Te Puke Riding. It would mean a big difference to the amount he would have to pay. Mr Grant advocated notice of motion being given at the next meeting of the Council to rescind the motion proposing that a flat rate of seven farthings be struck. .Unfortunately he was late at the last meeting of the Council, and missed the discussion, but understood that Waimapu was to be reduced, and Te Puke increased to make up the deficiency. Te Puke people were to be on to pay an additional rate. With the valuation going up they should try and reduce the rates. Mr Lally proposed that one of the members for the Te Puke Riding gives notice of motion rescinding the proposal to strike a flat rate of seven farthings on the whole county. Mr Matthews seconded the motion. He considered the flat rate a great mistake. They had expended £SOOO in metalling in the Maketu Riding, consequently the rating should be decreased over that area. As special rates in ridings increased, the general rate should be decreased. Cr Vercoe said he would sooner retire from the Council altogether than have a pistol put to bis head and be told to go back and support rescinding the motion. Mr Grant said there was no such thing as holding a pistol to Mr Vercoe’s head. The rate- • payers were simply expressing their wishes.

The motion was then carried, Mr Neal then moved that it bb a recommendation to the County N Council that separate riding ac| counts be kept so that Councillors might be in a position to show

1 . ' .. _ ;■-» ratepayers wiiat amount of rates was collected aDd expended in their ridings, Mr Hawthorn, who deprecated Cr Vercoe’s attitude, seconded .the motion, which was carried A vote of thanks to Mr Lally for convening the meeting terminated the proceedings.