41. Miss Leeasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the drainage rate in rural areas presses unduly heavily on a small section of ratepayers; and why the practice of spreading the rate over all ratepayers as in the urban districts, has not been adopted.
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Mr. AmoryOwners and occupiers of property within an internal drainage district are liable to pay drainage rates because such property derives benefit or avoids danger as a result of drainage works. I am not aware that these rates press unduly heavily upon them. I understand, however, that some urban authorities have, as a matter of convenience, entered into an arrangement with drainage boards whereby an amount, equivalent to the drainage rate due to be collected from that part of the urban area which lies within the drainage district, is paid by the local authority who recoup themselves out of the general rate.