RATES ON SHOWGROUNDS.

Wairarapa Age, 11 April 1929, Page 4

RATES ON SHOWGROUNDS.

APPLICATION TO THE VALUEBGENEKAL. A REDUCTION SOUGHT. A letter was received at yesterday'® meeting of the Masterton A. and P. Society from the North Island Conference of A. and P. Associations regarding a remit carried at the conference of municipal bodies in Wanganui recently, urging an amendment of the Valuation of Lands Act in regard to the rating of showgrounds. The proposed amendment of the Act would read: “But so that within any borough or town district no more than twenty acres of land belonging to any one society be subject to the provisions of this Act." It was pointed out that the Valuer-General, under the Act, could make a reduction in the assessment of the capital and unimproved value of land used for show purposes. It was asserted that the position was not yet entirely satisfactory. Special mention was made of the position of the Manawatu A. and P. Society. It was asked that the society register an immediate protest by writing to the Minister of Internal Affairs. The president, Mr. W. F. McLaren, said that the Masterton Society paid £29 14s. 7d. in rates to the Masterton Borough Council and £43 to the County Council. If a reduction were possible, he said, it would be of some help to the society. Mr. G. H. Perry: 44 Why not a reduction in the county as well?" Mr. R.. J. Barton: “I think the idea is to bring the borough tax in line with the county rate.'' ‘ Mr. J. M. James pointed out that some show societies were in the unfortunate position of having 40 or 50 acres of land in the borough. All land used for show purposes should only pay on the rateable value of the county. Mr. Barton said that he took it that the society could apply to the ValuerGeneral and ask for a reduction in valuation. He understood that the borough rate was about eight times higher than that of the county. Against that the society had some benefits from the borough, from whom it received water and had the services of the fire brigade. Mr. Duncan McGregor said that the matter was an old-standing one with the Manawatu A. and P. Association. Personally, he considered that as the Act stood they were able to get a reduction in valuation, which was all thatcould be reasonably asked for. The secretary, Mr. R. H. Williams, pointed out that he understood that the Manawatu Society had received a-ro duetion from £2OO to £66 per year. On the motion of Mr. Barton, it was decided to apply to the Valuer-General for a reduction in valuation in accordance with the Act.