An Unusual Application

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 198, 20 September 1888, Page 2

An Unusual Application

At the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday night, an application from Eleanor Clarke was read, being a request for a remission of rates on her property, owing to the heavy loss which she had sustained by her house having lately been burned down. The Mayor said he considered the case was a good one, and believed they had power to grant it. On the Municipal Corporations Act being looked up it was proved that the Council had power to make remission of rates in certain extreme cases. The Mayor was opinion that this was an extreme case in which they might well make a remission. Cr Lucas : The difficulty is in saying where the thing would end. The Mayor: In that case the Council of course must judge. My own opinion is that this is one of those instances in which Providence has dealt hardly with a woman— Councillor: How ’ The Mayor : Well it is hardly necessary to recapitulate. First the death of her husband, then by her being smitten with rheumatic fever ; coming back meeting with an accident on the steamer, by which one of her legs was broken ; then struggling on the best way she could, an unfortunate, lone woman ; and now having her house burnt over her head. Surely, you don’t want a harder case than that ? Cr Lucas : The house was insured. The Mayor (continuing) : I think this is a case in which the Council ought to exercise the power given them. If this is not one of those cases, then there is none. Cr Whinray : I believe this to be an exceptional case. Mrs Clarke has had a run of ill luck, and I think the Council can with very good grace consent to the remission. Cr Joyce : How much are the rates ’ The Clerk said the rates on the value came to £3. Cr Joyce: That is not much. The Clerk: The application is for a remission of the rates that are due—£4 I6s. Mr Coleman said from what he had heard it appeared to him a strange thing that when the house was insured for £4OO that the owner, being in that position, should ask for a remission of rates. If it were really a case of distress he was inclined to support the course proposed, but as there were doubts the best thing they could do was to make enquiries. Cr Lucas explained that what he had said was with the impression that the case was not an extreme one. He approved of Cr Coleman’s suggestion. The Mayor also concurred, and it was unanimously agreed to defer the application until enquiries had been made.