RATE COLLECTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20464, 2 April 1938, Page 9

RATE COLLECTIONS

COUNTIES IN WAIKATO j j I EXCELLENT PERCENTAGES BAROMETER OF PROGRESS With the closing of the financial year last Thursday, great Interest is taken In the positions of the local bodies in the district with regard to tho collection of rates. Comparisons with the totals of previous years constitute a reliable barometer of the progress of the district, and one that is closely watched by all sections of the community. The Waipa County has fared very well during the past year and to date 93.9 per cent, of the current rates has come to hand. These figures exceed those for the same time last year, when the total collection represented only 91.7 per cent, of the rates struck. It is interesting to note that in the Waipa County the imposition of the rates penalty is not brought into force t until the close of the financial year, which ended yesterday. The rates for the year amounted to £29,966 12s. and the collection at the end of the financial year amounts to £28,i 123 14s lOd. The total European I Arrears at present are £3681 1 is Bd. ! In the Raglan County also the rates | have come to hand freely and the per--1 centage received is 92.3. At the same period last year 90 per cent, of rates had been forwarded. The total rates struck for the year totalled £33,115, and the amount expected to be outstanding is about £4OOO. The percentage of the arrears collected this year is 58, compared with 64 per cent, last year, the reason for the decrease being that only £4280 was outstanding last year compa:%i with over £5400 the previous year. Matamata and Waikato An excellent response has been received by the Matamata County Council, where to date over 92 per cent, of the rates has been collected, compared with 89.1 per cent, for the same period last year. This is the best percentage the council has had for many years. The rates struck totalled £33.402 5s 6d and £7216 was carried forward from last year. The total collection reached £34,018 to-day, leaving arreas at £6206. Although the percentage of rates in ; the Waikato County has also shown an increase on that collected last year, the position In this county is not as i strong as In tho other counties in the area. Of the current rates this year 86.8 per cent, has been collected, compared with 82.9 per cent, last year, while of the arrears this year 63.4 per cent, has been received, compared with only 45.4 per cent, last year. The total rate struck was £39,777 and j £34.557 has come in to date. ! The percentages of rates collected this year show a marked advance on those collected during the depression year of 1932. In that year Waipa had the best collection of the counties with 85 per cent., with Raglan 81 per cent, and Waikato 80 per cent.