HALF RATES PROBLEM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 189, 12 August 1931, Page 6

HALF RATES PROBLEM

COURT’S INTERPRETATION SOUGHT. ‘‘lho City Council is inundated with requests tor half rates,” said Air W. J. 1 roadwell to Air Justice Blair at t*ie Supreme Court at Wanganui yesterday. “The obligations run into some hundreds of pounds. As tho city solicitor, I thought that it would be advisable, under the circumstances, to ask for an interpretation of a judge of the/ Supremo Court as to the meaning •Sub-Section B of Section 69 of the Rating Act J 925.” I he sub-section in question reads as follows: “(b) the person rated in respect therpof gives to tho local authority within It days after tho expiration of such period, notice in writing of the dates on which such house or building became vacant an.t unoccupied and on which it again became occupied—then such person shall be iable to pay only half the amount which would otherwise bo payable for the year’s rates in respect of such dwelling house or other building and suvh be entitled to a refund of whatever sum he may have paid in excess of such half.”* The case before the Court was a test case and the amount sued for was small. But although the amount was small it would determine applications of about £3OO and £4OO. Various questions wore then asked by Air Treadwell and legal argument was put forward by himself and Mr R. A. Howie, who appeared for the defendant (Syme). Mr .Justice Blair said that he would reserve his decision which would probably not be delivered until after the New Flymouth sessions.