COUNTY RATES.

Wairarapa Age, 28 May 1936, Page 5

COUNTY RATES.

LEVY FOR CURRENT YEAR. NEW SYSTEM ADOPTED. INCREASE IN ALL RIDINGS. An increase in the total rate levy over all ridings was decided upon at a special meeting of the Masterton County Council held yesterday. In the Opaki Riding, the rate revenue required for general purposes, including Hospital, is approximately the same as last year, the increase being confined to those ratepayers situated in the Upper Plain Water Supply District No. 1. In the Rangitumau and Te Whiti ridings, the amount required for general purposes is actually less than last year, the increased hospital levy having accounted almost entirely for the increase, the total cash increase in each riding being £6B and £136 respectively. To meet the increased Hospital levy and the cost of flood damage, a sharp rise is necessary in the Upper Taueru, Uriti and Wainuioru ridings, the Upper Taueru Riding suffering most in this respect. The total cash increase in these ridings is

£BOl, £650 and £492 respectively. Although the increase represents a sum of -£2,285, the total rate levy is still over £5,817 less than the 1930-31 figures. The following are the general rates decided upon for the year 1936-37 as compared with last year.—

As a result of the abolition of special rating areas, the interest rates, with the exception of those collected from water supply districts, are now incorporated in the general rate of each riding, and this accounts for the small amount shown against this item in this year's estimates. Owing to the new system introduced this year, and the general increase by the abolition of special rating areas, there will be a certain amount of movement in the individual payments of ratepayers, as compared with last year. Extended reference to the new system of rating was made by the Clerk, Mr. J. C. D. Mackley, in his annual report. Mr. Mackley stated: “The main feature of this new system is that, while rates will still be levied on a different basis over the several ridings, all special rating areas have been abolished (with the exception of those properties included in water supply districts) and the special rates previously charged against those areas consolidated and made a charge over the whole of the riding in which they are situate. For -the future the annual charges on all loans, with the exception referred to. will be paid out of the appropriate riding account, and that will undoubtedly prove advantageous from an administrative point of view. The new measure will also the effect of re-

lieving comparatively restricted areas of onerous pressure arising from these special rates for services of more than purely local benefit and spreading such charges over comparatively wide areas. In other words, the independent financial requirements of each riding will be borne equally on a valuation basis by all ratepayers whose properties are situate in that particular district. The council has the additional power of widening these areas by abolishing ridings and striking e uniform rate over the whole county. While this extension has this far been rejected by the council, I respectfully suggest that this will eventually come about. The substantial changes made in the financial provisions of county councils, makes it necessary, in my opinion, to achieve a more equitable adjustment of the incidence of the burden of taxation. To attain that objective would of course, jpyiire rates to be levied on a uniform ''basis over the whole county. Revenue

from Motor Taxation, which at the present time, is credited, insofar as maintenance in concerned, to ridings in accordance with the length of main highways situated therein, would also be adjusted and so applied that all ratepayers would receive equal benefit. This would mean the abolition of riding accounts. ’ 7

In order that the new system may be reviewed, the following table has been prepared showing the relative position of the Rates levied in each Riding in the years 1927-28, 1930-31 and 1935-36:—

1936-37 3,008 781 3,789 The above figures disclose that the total rate revenue required in the Opaki Biding for general purposes is approximately the same as last year. With the extra expenditure necessary in certain water supply districts the total estimated rate revenue has increased by £l3B. The spreading of the interest charges over this riding will not make any appreciable difference to the rate payment of any individual ratepayer as the amount involved is only £9l. The rates per £l,OOO of valuation, for general purposes, and excluding water rates will amount to £4 0s lOd. It will be noted from the above table that, the total Bate levy in this Biding is some £1,522 less than the levy for the year 1930-31.

1936-37 2,275 645 2,920 The position in regard to the rate levy in the Bangitumau Biding is that the cash requirement for general purposes, including the interest charges which are now spread over the whole riding has increased by £43. The rates per £l,OOO of valuation for general purposes, and excluding water rates will be £3 15s sd. The above table shows that the total rate levy in this riding for the current financial year is some £1,475 under the levy for 1930-31. Upper Taueru Riding. Year Gen. Hosp. Total.

1936-37 2,111 415 2,526 The estimated rate levy in the Upper Taueru Biding shows an increase of £BOO over the amount levied last financial year. The special rates which were previously charged over special rating areas total £4ll and under the new system this amount will be spread over the whole riding. The rate per £l,OOO of valuation will be £5 Is 6d. The rate per £l,OOO of valuation based on last year’s rate levy if the same system had been in force would have amounted to £3 9s 3d. From the above table it will be observed that the total rate levy is still some £389 under the 1930-31 notwithstanding the heavy increase this year. Te Whitt Riding.

Year Gen. Hosp. Total.

1936-37 1,775 551 2,326 The above figures disclose that the total rate revenue for general purposes in the Te Whiti Biding will be £125 in excess of last year, this including the sum of £lO9, which will be spread over the whole riding. The rates per £l,OOO of valuation and excluding water rates will be £3 10s 4d. The above table shows that the total rate levy is some £B5l under the levy for the year 1930-31.

Uriti Biding. Year Gen. Hosp. Total. £. £. £.

1936-37 3,861 609 4,470 The estimated rate levy in the Uriti Riding shows an increase of £650 over last year's levy. Of this, total special rates, which were previously charged over special rating areas, and are now to be spread over the whole riding total £lB2. The rate per £1 000 of valuation will be £6 2s 4d. The rate per £l,OOO of valuation last year on the same basis of rating would have been ±5 4s lid. It will be observed from the above table that the total rate levy for the current year is some £1,030 less than the levy for the year 1930-31.

Wainuioru Biding. Year Gen. Hosp. Total.

Thl 93 !?- 7 t 3,444 542 3 > 986 lhe estimated rate levy in the Wai2?“™ K j? illg shows an increase of £492 over the amount levied last financial year The rate per £l,OOO of valuation will be £6 2s 7d. The rate last Same s y s{em rating would have been £5 7s 7d. The above tabie shows that the total rate levy is some £549 less than the 1930-31 levy It is interesting to record that had a uniform rate been levied over the whole county for the current financial year the rate per £l,OOO of valuation ( exel u3ing water rate) would have totalled £4 14s 2d. Summed up the total rate levy over the whole county tor the year 1936-37 will be £21,152 as against £18,867, an increase of £2 285 or ’-P® l- ~ nt over the whole county. vJ H ™ pital levy for the current F® bee "“ ci,easea from £2,758 18s to £3,340, which is an increase of anproximately £5BO on the levy of the previous year. J

Biding 1935-36 1936-37 Opaki 11/16d 12/16d Rangitumau — — 10/16d 11/16d Upper Taueru 6/163 Id Te Whiti 8/16d 10/16d Uriti 15/16d 20/16d Wainuioru 11/16d 20/16d The following is a summary of the total rates to be levied over each Biding.— Est. Actual Rate 1936-37 1935-36 £. £. General 16,120 11,560 Bridge 354 1,946 Hospital 3,543 2,654 Opaki Water Supply137 136 Upper Plain W.S. 492 265 Te Ore Ore W.S. — 160 200 Interest 346 2,106 '■ - Total 21,152 18,867

Opaki Biding. Year Gen. Hosp. Total. £. £. £. 1927-28 4,671 654 5,325 1930-31 4,507 654 5,161 1935-36 3,202 585 3,787 Est.

Bangitamau Biding. Year Gen. Hosp. Total. £. £. £. 1927-28 3,983 538 4,521 1930-31 3,774 537 4,311 1935-36 2,395 484 2,877 Est.

£. £. £. 1927-28 3,136 346 3,482 1930-31 2,569 346 2,915 1935-36 1,415 310 1,725 Est.

1927-28 £. £. £. 2,761 454 3,215 1930-31 2,682 460 3,142 1'935-36 Est. 1,788 413 2,201

1927-28 4,939 506 5,445 1930-31 4,994 506'5,500 1935-36 3,364 456 3,820 Est.

£. £. £. 1927-28 4,063 454 4,517 1930-31 4,083 452 4,535 1935-36 Est. 3,088 406 3,494