BOROUGH COUNCIL

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3190, 14 June 1932, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS DEALT WITH. His Worship the Mayor, Mr C. G. Downes, presided at the ordinary meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council on Monday evening, when there were also present Crs W. J. North, G. A. Empson, L. G. Armstrong, H. C. Rainey, A. Brown, F. J. Gilbert, J. G. B. Gifford, and W. C. Savill. „ ,' . The town clerk (Mr D. Bockett), and works foreman (Mr R. H. Close) were in attendance. The Domain Committee recommended that a quantity of irton and scantling under offer for £4 be purchased, to erect a small building on Albert Park for use as an additional dressing room for recreation organisations authorised to use the Park. The Mayor explained that this was the outcome of representations made to him by a deputation from the Waipa Rugby Union, which had pointed out that the present shed accommodation is quite inadequate for present-day requirements, for there are on some Saturdays 180 players engaged in matches during the afternoon. It was proposed to engage some of the unemployed to erect the shed. Councillors agreed, and the building will be erected at once. The clerk notified that only one nomination, that of Mr Jas. G. Holmes, had been received for appointment as the Council's assessor on the Assessment Court. Mr Holmes had therefore been appointed.—Approved. The Assessment Court sits at Hamilton on the 20th inst. Cr Armstrong suggested that » was desirable that the assessor should report to the Council his comments on applications, as in the past Councils have not been in close touch with assessors. There may be serious reductions made in certain cases, which would materially affect the borough's' income. He thought the assessor should report to, say, the Legal and Finance Committee. The Mayor said the valuer is distinct from the assessor. Any ratepayer concerned may object to the valuer's assessment,, and the Assessment Court would hear such objections. If the Court maintains an assessment, the ratepayer has the option of calling upon the authority to take over the property at that valuation.

Cr Armstrong said his point was that there should be no alteration of a valuation in any financial year. Applications made now would materially affect the local body's estimates of receipts. The Mayor pointed out that valuations are not affected until the following year. Two of the three auctioneering firms using the municipal saleyards notified that in accordance with the National Expenditure Adjustment Act, 1932, they would be deducting 20 per cent from all rents payable as from April Ist. 1932. , Councillors expressed surprise that this position should arise, contending that it was not the intention of the amending Act to permit of such a reduction. In any case, it was a rather high handed action of the companies. It was contended that the annual rental had already been reduced from £4OO to £3oo—which was more than the 20 per cent reduction claimed. Further, a great many alterations and improvements have been effected at the saleyards since the agreement was entered into. ~,.,., The firms will be notified that the Council cannot see its way to further reduce the rental. The borough solicitors advised that they have now obtained approval of the plan for slightly deviating Herbert Street where it joins Sloane Street. . The necessary resolution confirming the plan was carried. Advice was received from the borough solicitors that they have received the certificate of title for allotment 100; the land is vested in the Mayor, Councillors and burgesses of the borough without encumbrances,, "as a site for a public library."— Received. Intimation was received of the intention of the trustees of the late Thos. Spear to dispose of lot 82, corner of Brady and Roche Streets, which has an unimproved value of £25. It was suggested that the Council might be prepared to purchase, as it holds the adjoining land. —It was decided to make an offer for the section. The executor in the estate of the late Thos. Spear applied for renewal of a lease of lot 78, fronting Bank and Roche Streets, on the basis of the existing annual .rental. —Referred to the Finance Commitee. The Wellington manager of the A.M.P. Society wrote re the National Expenditure Adjustment Act, part 3, which imposes a stamp duty of 10 per cent on interest income from all local authority loans. Therefore it affects loans for a fixed term with ordinary form of debentures. Detailed information was given as to how it affects the Borough Council's loans from the Society. The Public Trust Office wrote _to the same effect, bearing on sinking funds. Both communications were referred to the town clerk. Cr Armstrong pointed out that the Council would benefit by this legislation even more than would appear from the circular. Each year would show an increasing-amount of rebate. Cr Empson called attention to the Town Hall rentals being lower than the expenditure by about £lO. The town clerk explained that this was due to the inclusion of insurances. The position would right itself soon.