OUTSTANDING RATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19247, 26 February 1925, Page 4

OUTSTANDING RATES

Tn reference to the action taken by the City Council for the recovery of rates by means of Court proceedings, and the comment by certain ratepayers against whom action has already been taken. .Many persons are of the opinion that, because the .10 per cent, penally has not. been imposed, the council should not take drastic stops to enforce payment. Hnd it not. been for the delay occasioned this year in fixing the rate and the issue of the rate demand, owing to the fact that tho council line! to obtain special legislation, in consequence of the amalgamation of Gonviiie and Castlccliff with the city, tho penalty would have been added to outstanding rates six weeks or two months ago. Each week a batch of summonses have been taken out, and in most eases the recipient immediately pays, but there are still thousands of pounds owing, and unless there is a better response to tho council’s appeal for a settlement of rates, the number against whom action will bo taken will be increased. Those xvho pay their rates promptly on receipt of demand, consider that it is unfair for others to withhold payment until the very last, and thereby incur a heavy charge on the council for interest on overdraft which has of necessity to be l provided for by rate. It behoves all those whose rates are still unpaid to settle at once, otherwise any saving they may think they are making bx withholding payment will be more than counter-balanced by the cost of Court proceedings.