INCREASE IN MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL’S GENERAL RATE LEVY

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 June 1948, Page 6

INCREASE IN MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL’S GENERAL RATE LEVY

(0.C.) Marton, June 9. An increase of Hd in the £1 in the Marton Borough Council’s general rate, bringing it from 9d to 10-ld in the £1 on the unimproved value was decided upon by the council tonight when estimates for 1948-49 were approved. This new rate is estimated to produce £7317 an increase of £932 on the previous year. Pursuant to Section 77 of the Municipal Corporation’s Act, 1933, the maximum general rate the council has power to levy is 2d in the pound on the capital l rating value of the borough which, on the present capital value makes the maximum rate £7368 10s. The general rate was thus the maximum rate which could be levied on the unimproved value, explained the town clerk, Mr. C. C. McDonald, The total rates levied for the current year are expected to yield £12,391 as against £11,820 for the previous year an increase of £571 or 4.83 per cent, in excess of the rates struck for 1947-48.

Under the present conditions of advancing costs this increase, said the town clerk, could be considered moest as many local authorities had found it necessary to increase rates substantially more to cover only the minimum maintenance requirements The council’s policy of capital expenditure from revenue could no longer continue, added Mr. McDonald. The estimates provided for the finances necessary to maintain existing services and capital expend! ture, and work of a major nature would require to be financed by way of loans.

Last year resulting from the introduction of the Free Country Library service, the library rate was abolished, but to meet increased costs of service and administration the library rate has been reinstated, the new rate being ad in the £ and is expected to yield £357. In order to relieve the drain on the general account a special rate of 3-16 d is to be struck to provide the annual charges on the £l5OO gas holder loan and there is also an incease of l-3d in the rate levied on the consolidated loan of £8290 sufficient to meet the full annual charges. Slight rate increases are to be levied for tne Rangitikei Catchment Board, the £7500 water loan and the Junction water special. There is a small reduction in the hospital rate, the new waterworks special, and sanitary and sewerage special.

The council gave notice to strike the following rates (for comparison purposes last year’s are given in parentheses): General, lOid (9d); library id (no rate last year;; hospital, 2Ld (23d); consolidated special, Id (2-3 d ; special rate on original water loan, 2-7 d (11); sanitary ana sewerage, 2-7 d (3d); £7500 water loan, Id (15-16 d Rangitikei Catchment Board, 15-16 d (2-9 d uniform sanitation fee, £1 7s 6d (£1 7s 6d); water, l-12d (l-12d); Junction water rate, 2id (2ld); £l5OO gas holder special loan, 3-16 d (new rate).