Enclosure 2
2.
446
0.0.
14252
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, 23 APR 01,
144 March 1907 .
Report on Ordinance
of 1907.
I have examined the accompanying Ordinance, entitled
Au Ordinance to consolidate and amend the laws relating to Rating
and I am of opinion that the Ordinance is our which is not contrary to
the Governor's Instructions.
This Orilinance consolidates the four Ordinances as to Rating which it repeals,
The definition of "renement" is modified as regards Piers in order to comply with the provisions of section 17 of the Piers Ordinance, 1899.
Section 29 embodies the alterations effected by resolu- tions of the Legislative Council passed since Ordinance No. 5 of 1892 came into operation.
In section 35 the words "within the first month of such quarter" and "subject to the provisions of section 30" have been inserted to prevent any ambiguity.
The only substantial amendment is contained in sub- section (1) of section 39, which is new.
It confers upon the Governor in Council power, if he thinks fit so to do, to fix a mininum rateable value for tenements, below which they shall not be rateable at all. This is desirable, for in some villages there are premises the quarterly rates in respect of which amount only to a few cents, while the trouble and expense of collection and enforcement of pay- ment, are entirely out of proportion to the benefit derived by the Treasury. Indeed, where launch hire for the col- lector has to be taken into consideration, the revenue gains practically nothing. The remaining amendments are only formal.
Wraith Goodman
Altering General.