CASE OF SPECIAL RATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 107, 9 May 1933, Page 9

CASE OF SPECIAL RATES

CROWN AND COUNTY COUNCIL. AHU AHU SETTLERS. In consequence of the inability of settlers within the Ahu Ahu road loan rating area being unable to meet the payment of special rates, the Waitotara County Council has defaulted in this connection'and, through the Counties* Association and Farmers’ Union, is one of the several bodies in New Zealand seeking help from the Crown. Properties within this specially rated area are nearly all subject to Crown mortgages (State Advances Department;. Mortgagors have let these lands revert to the Crown as mortgagee, and the Crown seeks its pound of flesh from the general fund of the county. *‘ If we push these cases we simply push the people off the properties,” said Cr. L. T. Jones, at yesterday’s council meeting, when it was suggested that the council had not gone to law to force the settlers to pay. “We don’t want to do that. We must protect the settlers’ interests and get these rates down. The Ahu Ahu special rates are twice as big as the general rate, and that road was put in to give access to Crown properties, -while other roads, like the Waitotara Valley, have ween put through at Government expense. What happens when the mortgagor can’t pay interest to-day? The mortgagee and mortgagor get together and discuss the matter. This case is analogous to that.” He pointed out that taking £lOO from the general fund of the county would mean that, those ratepayers who had paid their special rates would be assisting to pay for those who had not. “This is a case we should push,” said Mr. R. Farley. The matter was held over until the chairman (Mr. W. Morrison) can report on the result of a deputation from the Counties’ Association and Farmers’ Union to the Minister and heads of department.