H.—27

1928. NEW ZEALAND.

RATING OF FARM LANDS IN BOROUGHS (REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO CERTAIN MATTERS AFFECTING THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

COMMISSION. APPOINTING A COMMISSION TO INQUIRE INTO AND REPORT ON CERTAIN MATTERS AFFECTING THE RATING OF FARM LANDS IN BOROUGHS. Charles Fergusson, Governor-General. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Robert Mackenzie Watson, Esquire, of Feilding, Stipendiary Magistrate ; William Thomas Strand, Esquire, of Lower Hutt, Farmer ; and Walter Nash, Esquire, of Wellington, Secretary : Greeting. Whereas complaints have been made to the Government as to the amount of rates levied by the Councils of certain boroughs on the lands within such boroughs, and as to the amount of special rates levied on lands which, after becoming liable for such special rates, have subsequently been excluded from such boroughs : And whereas representations have been made that the amount of rates levied by the Councils of such boroughs on such lands within the said boroughs as are used solely for farming purposes is excessive, having regard to the benefits received or likely to be received by those lands from the works carried out or proposed to be carried out by the Councils of such boroughs : And whereas it is desirable that inquiry should be made as to the incidence of rates on lands in the Borough of Feilding, having regard to the purposes for which such lands are used and occupied, and as to the amount of special rates levied on lands which after becoming liable for such special rates have been excluded from the Borough of Feilding : And whereas it is expedient that inquiry should be made in the Borough of Feilding into the working of the existing laws relating to the incidence of rates on lands in boroughs, having regard to the purposes for which such lands are used and occupied and to the purposes for which such lands are applied, and relating to the continuing liability for special rates of lands severed from boroughs, and the levying of special rates on land so severed : And whereas legislation has been proposed to make special provision in respect of the several foregoing matters :

I—H. 27.