Ratepayers Ask Why Rangitikei County Increased Its Rate

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 August 1950, Page 2

Ratepayers Ask Why Rangitikei County Increased Its Rate

Despite an increase of 24.8 per cent, in the total oapital valuation of the Rangitikei county, the council has increased its general rate this financial year from 2id in the £ on the capital value to 2 5-Bd. “Why can’t we have a reduction in the rate” asked Mr. F. Hardy at a meeting of county ratepayers in Marton on Thursday night to consider the revised valuations. He said the position had arrived where farmers were paying a rent for their land, not a rate. Voices: Hear, hear. Mr. Hardy cited tue case of another local body which had decreased its rate because of the increased valuation. Rangitikei, on the other hind, had increased its rate. The answer in short is that thei<. are 30,000 more vehicles on the road, they are travelling faster and carrying heavier loads,' said the chairman of the county, Cr. K. W. Dalrymple. A voice: What about the petrol tax? The county clerk, Mr. F. L- Nicol, said that the Government subsidy on general rates was likely to be Increased this year* and this would probably coms out of the petrol tax. Mr. Nicol explained that the rates this year were struck before the final valuation figures were available. Tne county based its rates on an estimated valuation of £10,090,000, whereas the final valuation was £11,090,000. “We may be collecting more than we actually require, and we might have a little surplus to build up a reserve,” said the clerk. The county had plant to buy and miles of roads to metal, said Mr. Nicol in explaining wheie the money went. In some places, he said, the metal on the roans was not more than a stone deep. The county also had a heavy replacement and repair programme for its bridges and culverts which in some cases were between 50 and 70 years old. "We have got to the stage where we have to spend money,” said Mr. Nicol. If there was ever a time a farmer could afford to pay more rates, it was this year, he added.

This financial year the council wanted £llO,OOO from general rates. The road metalling programme wa?to cost £39,000 while a further £7OOO had been set aside for tar-sealing, said Mr. Nicol.

Mr. Nicol said that farmers could assist the council considerably by paying their rates earlier. Most, he said, preferred to wait until the last day. This cost the county hundreds ol pounds in bank overdraft. Mr. Nicol was thanked for his explanation. MARTON COUPLE CELEBRATE THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING. Married by the Rev. W. W. Woolass at Foxton in' 1900, Mr. and Mrs. John Hunter, Morris Street, Marton, celebrated their golden wedding last week. They were the recipients of telegrams from all parts of New Zealand, inducing one from Mrs Hunter's mother, Mrs G. A. Simpson, of Dunedin. Mrs Simpson was unable to attend the happy celebrations because of her age. Mr. and Mrs Hunter have lived in Marton for over 40 years, where Mr Hunter was engaged in the painting and paperhanging trade. He retired several years ago. Both are staunch supporters of the Presbyterian Church, Mrs Hunter being a prominent member of St. Andrew's choir. Mi Hunter has been a well-known and popular figure on the. bowling green and goll course, and still takes an active interest in both sports. The celebrations last week were ob served bj a happy family reunion dinner, when their live children and II grand-chudren were among those present for the occasion. Also present was Mrs H. McLaggan (Palmerston North) who was Mrs Hunters chief oradesmaid 50 years ago.