§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Minister of Health whether there are any rules or regulations governing the acceptance by town councils of the payment of rates by instalments; how many local authorities adopt this practice; and what is the attitude of his Department on the subject?
§ Sir K. WOODTown councils and other rating authorities can collect rates by instalments. My approval is not necessary, and there are no rules or regulations governing the matter, except as regards the accounts to be kept. I do not have information of the number of authorities who have adopted the system, which I favour where it will facilitate the collection of rates and diminish hardship to ratepayers.