Ss EE oe mmm m-------- THE MAYOR DISS ATISFED | WTH CITY'S ASSESSMENT And Wants the Question to be Fully ) Considered. COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO MAKE A REPORT TO COUNCIL CITY The Mayor Says Vacant Land Is Not Taxed High Enough--The City's | Assessment Might Be Raised Two Million Dollars. Before the City Council started its regular business on Menday evening Mayor Sutherland referred to the city assessment which he regarded as anything but satisfactory. He claimed that the assessment was too low, and that if it was' raised to what it should be, more civic fmpro vements could be undertaken and the tax rate possibly reduced land, the Mayor claimed, was assess- ed too low, and older buildings were not correspondingly raised with the assessment placed on new buildings Mayor Sutherland spoke in part as follows: "You no doubt will remember in my inaugural 'address that I drew at- tention to this most important de- partment of elvic administration. The part to which I refer is as fol- lows: "While speaking on the fin- apcial situation it leads one to reflect fOr 4 moment 6n our source of reve- nue the most jmportant of which i¢ the assessment. Are we going the right way in our assessing of pro- perty? for one man to do? We expect our City Assessor to do his clerical work | as well as his other duties and while engaged In this clerical work are we | not forcing him to neglect a more | important part of his duties? 1 would suggest that the Finance Committee look well into the question of a tax commission and see where we can improve matters. A high assess ment and a low tax rate is better for all concerned and is a great help in bringing new industries to a city, as one of the first questions asked Is, - "What is your tax rate?" I would suggest that the question of dividing | the city in" zones be considered. - In each zone a certain value could be made for assessment purposes. Theére- by location would determine the va- lue, and we could obtain a better re- venue from land values, and tax im- provements less. It is improve-ments we wish to encourage and not land speculations." One of my reasons for bringing this to your attention is that in look- ing into. thé question of garbage re- | moval I wished a fuller collection made of all house refuse, such as Vacant | Are we leaving too much | could not help but feel that some- thing was amiss, as this list included besides all dwellings and stores the larger manufacturers as well, such as the Locomotive Works, Cotton Mill, eto. Stes Assessment Tabulation. According to this tabulation which I will designate No. 1, I find we have the following total of 5,394 building made up of the following divisions: Assessed up to $1,000..., 2,509 $1,000 to $1,500 $1,500 to 2.500 $2,600 to $3,500 $3,500 to $4,500 $5,500 to $5,500 $5,500 to $6,500 $6,500 to $7,500 | Over to $7,500 107 I have never seen a tabulation of | the city along these lines before and ! in the face of the facts it seems to | throw a new light on oor assessment. If we look at the figures we will find | { that we have in our city only 945 as- | sessments over $2,500 and in these | are included our larger stores and | manufacturing establishments. | I might also point out the fact | that in some of these assessments, | | adjoining vacant land is included | | along with the lot on which the {house is built. Therefore the ass- | | essment of a property in any of the above classifications does not really | | represent the assessed value of the dwelling and lot upon which it is built but op the adjoining property as well. | | In addition to the above table 1 [find we have.vacant-land in the diff grent wards as follows: Sydenham Ward about. . Ontario Ward about St. Lawrence Ward about. Cataraqui Ward about... Frontenac Ward about .. Rideau Ward about 96,200 Victoria Ward about .... 181,800 A total of approximately $421,600 | | The property adjoining lots which are * built upon and included in Tabulation [No. 1, are I am told in the | neighborhood of $250,000 $250 Which would make a to- , tal assessed value of unbuilt lands, approximately | .$26,200 | 9,300 4, { 55,600 48,000 or ,000 $671,600 | Land Values Too Low, ve} Increasing the tax on oh and and | reducing the tax on the buildings | | stimulate building operations which | would have the tendency of lowering | rents while taxing buildings equally with the land is only penalizing the | man who is helping to improve the | town and the idea of eliminating the speculator in vacant land is a desir- | able one. | | In analyzing the total assessment | [of the city I am told that the total value of the buildings is practically | double the value of the total assess- | | ment of the land. If this be true! | justices they should be my own views but yours as well. THE DAILY BRITISH WHIG, TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1015. refoot say $2,000,000 then the present rate of taxation could be reduced practi- caily one sixth which would mean a reduction in round figures of four mills. Z I find upon inquiry that many"do not object to pay their increased as- | sessments but they do complain that older properties are not correspond: ingly raised. It this is true and the older properties were raised propor- tionately, a larger revenue could be obtained -or a reduction made in the rate. If a property owner is now being | ungder-assessed and an advance made in his assessment and a reduction made in the rate, it would not be a| hardship on his part.as with the re-| duced rate, even with the increased assessment, he might not be paying! any more than hé is to-day, but it] would have the effects of a more equitable distribution of the taxes. which is the one object I am aiming at. If there are. any abuses or in- corrected, and I feel T am not only expressing A Check-Up Needed. | In drawing your attention to these | conditions I do not wish in any way to reflect upon the work of our City Assessor. We are all agreed that | we have not a more faithful or con-| sclentious official, but are we asking | him to do too much, and in so doing | put a load upon him which. tends to! decrease his efficiency. I do not wish to criticize our present assess-| ment too severely, put I do think in| order to have the highest efficiency | that there should be a checking up| periodically and comparisons made. | This might be done by appointing a Commission every five years. or any other period which, might be decided | upon, and I think would be bemefi- cial to all concerned. I have felt for some time that this is a most serious question and one that every alderman and citizen | should give great attention to. It) has either the making or the break- | ing of a city and as I know you all | wish to work for the advancement | of our city I feel convinced that you | will give this qucstion careful con-| sideration during the holiday period, | S80 we can take the matter up imme- | diately upon the calling. of council | after its vacation. | In order to get data I would sug-| | | { | gest that a small committee of three | be appointed to bring in a report at | the first meeting of Council after the holidays or at a special meeting it one is deemed necessary. | What I have said will, I think, | have the tendency of making every- | one think over thé situation, most | carefully. Many of those "whom you have the honor to represent in | Council will no doubt discuss the question with you and I might say 1] would be pleased to receive any sug-| gestions from any of the aldermen | during the holiday period which he! might think would be of service to this special committee. oo ,A Committee Appointed. | Ald Couper remarked that the pub- | lication of the assessment would help out a good deal. 3 | Mayor Sutherland replied that he | had thought of that. { THE CITY FATHERS ~ADJOURN UNTIL OCTOBER 11TH General Business Transacted Monday Night--Hydrant Needed At Cor. ner Stuart Street and St. Law- rence Avenue, : The City Council is on its summer vacation. On Monday night it ad- journed until the 11th\ of October, and will only meet in the meantime | should special business demand at- tention, In attendance at Monday night's' meeting were: ! Mayor Sutherland and Alds. Cou- per, Clugston, Graham, Hanley, | Hughes, Litton, MeCanh, Newman, Nickle, O'Connor, Peters, Richardson Stroud, Wright, White and Worm- with. These communications were read: | Communications Resid. Thomas C. Glassford asking mission of street watering tax. City Treasurer and City Auditor] certifying that the amount paid to employees by the Shipbuilding Com- pany is in excess of that required to receive exemption from taxes. { Publie Utilities Commission certi- fying that $1,645 is required to cov- er gas main extensions on Upper Wil-| liam, Stephen and Lower Albert! streets. | Clara H. Cobet asking for reduc--| tion of taxes. { Public Library asking for remis- | sion of taxes. Y.M.C.A,, and Infant's Home ask- ing for remission of taxes. | Medical Health Officer regarding) complaint of officials .of the First| Congregational Church that street scrapings were uncovered at the! curb over the week-end. Frank W. Dobbs and Joseph - B.! Cooke for tree removal. John Doolan applying for the posi- tion of caretaker of city dump. City Clerk reporting that the vote on the by-law to repeal by-law No.! 66, 1913, Public Utilities , Commis- sion was: For 332; against, 549. In-| cinerator by-law: For 435; against, | 266. | W. H. Carsqh applying for the po-| sition of Garbage Inspector. | re- The Finance Report. | The Committee on Finance and] Accounts recommended as follows: That the following applications for remission of taxes be granted: -- | Y.W.C.A., Kingston Public Library | and Infants' Heme. { That the application of Public] Utilities Commission to furnish $1,-| 545 for gas main extensions as fol- | lows be granted:~--Upper William | street from Barrie towards Division. | Stephen street towards Montreal; | Lower Albert street, from Stuart to-| wards King street. | That the contract with Smith ¥I-| liott- for the collection and removal | of garbage which expired on June | 30th be renewed at $120 a week and | to continue until the incinerator is ready to take care of the disposal of | garbage, | ~ PAGE FIVE arte There's nothing cooler than Bare- foot Sandals--they wear other outing shoes: Our stock is com- plete with the best grades. Children's, sizes 3 to 7 1-2 ....$1.00 « Childs', sizes 8 to 10 1-2 Boys' and Girls', sizes 11 to Sizes 21-2to 7 .. We have many other cheaper lines. Abernethy's LT dals Bathing Shoes This year we are showing a rub- ber sole Bathing Shoe--very light in weight--with stockings attached or just plain, with ankle strap. With stockings attached, $1.00 in Women's sizes. Girls' Sizes 11: 10-2... . 0. 000+.900 Childs', sizes 8 to 10 .. Prices of plain shoe, like illustra- tion: Women's, 50c; Girls', 46c; Childs', 40c. Siam better than 9 . 1.25 2.135 : 1.50 The Most Dressy of Summer Hats. Straw Sailors We have your parti- cular width of brim and height of crown, at prices to suit any purse SEE OUR BANGKOK The hat that rivals the Panama. Sakell's Pure Ice Cream EE ee Our Ice Cream is the best and finest in Kingston by Government Test. We deliver to all parts of the city in bulk or Ae. | SAKELL'S Next Opera House. Phone 640 Bring Your Car Here When it needs any repairs or supplies, Our mechanics are all first clase and stand A-1 In their trade. No repair too small or toe big for us to handie. We also have here AN UP-TODATE GARAGE, . Where you ean keep your ear in perfect confidence and where you will receive courteous treatment st all timew. OUR TERMS ARE VERY MODERATE, PORRITT GARAGE CO., Limited Accessories AUTOMOBILES 210-212 Wellington St. Telephone 454 Agent for CAPILLAU and REO CARS, SOWARDS Repairs Kingston, Ont. LAWN OR CAMP FURNITURE Keep Coal and Coal Keeps | SOWARDS ashes ete., and with this object in | on RR Sphears that the land Yalu} view I had a tabulation of all 'the |°® In Kingston are not paying their |. " houses in the gitysmade which shows | TUIL share of the. taxes, JVhat We. jand and-Alds. Couper and O'Contior | Yon of Je JuIchase x Arve the number With their assessed va- | WANt 10 encourage is the Improve-| wa 2onointed to look into the mat. | Writers for the Collegiate Institute lues, when this was laid before me 1| Ment of property and make for the { be granted, {city beautiful. = This ean be done |'T 30d report. |. That the City Auditor be authoriz- SS ---------- {by making the land pay its full| So |ed to engage a stenographer and |share. Vacant land held for spec- | THE NEW ELECTRIC RATES [ typewriter, salary not to exceed $8 a NO PLACE LIKE HOME--IF YOU | ulative purposes is like dormant ca- | | week, and also to purchase for his| {pital. "It is unproductive. Hold. | ¥ "2ele Sums OF ua Aldermen Who | oftice one desk and wo wtgels, price | | - ers of vacant land should not be cen- ight. | of these not to excee . WN { OWN IT. || sidered. They are simply Adi Ald. Nickle last night again called| That the following unauthorized | The Programme 'Presented is " PHERAPION Velatms La Set d Foldi Bh vam belek ve > ' Ii tors and it is only fair to the com- | upon Mayor Sutherland, as the City | accounts be paid: --Lighting road to That Pleases. { A N Hospitals with wn tees an olding the west side of eity, for $5,108 ||| munity that they should pay some | Council's representative on the Utili-| Barriefield, $792; By-law election| The programme of vaudeville and | ME Fr | Chairs. for quick mnie. fair portion of the unearned. incre- | ties Commission, to explain to the|expenses, $196; British Whig, pub-| pictures presented at the Grand | Six room frame ho { Froutenne Park, with ments, for $1 Soild That the request of the Board of | On motion of Ald. Hughes, a com- | . - ittee consisting of Mayor Suther. | Education for a 'further appropria Kingston's Largest Hat Dealers. A -------------------- Er ---------- VAUDEVILLE AT THE GRAND. CAMPBELL BRS. | | FEE EL Sse et | {ment they receive from the improve- | aldermen the new electric rates |lishing by-law, $128.25. | Opera House last night delighted a | "aire ros i 800% TO Da. Lb & ! | ment of pelghboring properties in the | Which are now in effect. His Wor- | large audience. Both parts of the | nap. Raurararn, Lowen, [shape of taxes. hesé holders do | Ship's response was that he could not orAGEx APION Sasy Te vans | nothing towards town improvement | Eive an intelligent explanation for Oo use, mear improve- on Olgrgy house General Business. Street, with hot water furmuce, SAFR AND LASTING EURS. "nA t t al ry s, winble, $3,250, good stable, must be sold by May 1 i300, Rough cast six rooms, OR very easy terms, $1,300, HORACE F. NORMAN Real Estate and Insurance Office 177 Wellington St. nor do they expend any monies in wages in building ete. Our total asses: nt in the | neighborhood of $11,500. If it can be shown that properties and vacant | 1ands are not paying their full share | and the total assessment raised then it is clear that more civic improve- ments can be undertaken and the | tax rate mot disturbed or there can be a reduction in the rate, To illustrate should there be found to exist conditions whereby the city's assessment can be raised is Fresh Columbia Ig- nition Dry Cells KINGSTON I Ll A 4 Ng ar ot si A ---------- © 29cEach FOUNDRY pra the reason that the commissioners The reports of other committees, | J entertainment were exceedingly | ¥ good, The feature picture of the | m= ERAP TRADE MARKED STAN? WORD "THERAPION ' 18 OB out cases where it would be unfair themselves had different views on the matter. He had tried to have the matter made clear but had so far failed. Ald. Graham declared that so far | as he understood, he would have to pay more for electric lighting under the new rates than under the old. He intended to use electricity no longer if such was the case. Ald. Newman, the mathematical expert of the Council, after a little figuring, informed Ald. Graham that instead of paying $2 a month as he had under the old rates, he would pay only $1.60 a month under the new schedule. As Ald. Nickle's question remain- ed unanswered, the Council decided to pass on to other busineds, rea- lizing that it was waste of time to continue discussing something about which it knew nothing. TALKED LOCAL IMPROVEMENT And Its Application To The Public' Utilities. / Mayor Sutherland coaxed the City Council to discuss the question of applying the Local Improvement plan for the extension of all the pub- lic utilities, He desired an expres- sion of opinion as that the Finance committee would be in a better posi- tion to come to some conclusion. The Mayor is an advocate of extending all the utilities by the Local Improve- ment plan, but some of the aldermen do not see 'eye to eye with him. One of these is Ald. Nickle, who pointed to the-owmer of vacant property to tux him for something which is of no value to him. He referred to owners who did not want to sell the back of their lots which faced anoth- er street, * : Ald. Couper was of the some opin- fon as the Mayor, and said he would adopt tbe Local Improvement plan for the utilities. Ten cents a pound added to the as already published, were adopted. | The Property Committee report re-| commended that the tender of Sav- age and Wightman to paint the large City Hall dome and the flag poles for $270 be accepted. 'This was adopted. The Incinerator by-law passed by the people was given its third read- ing. On motion of Ald. Newman, the] Mayor was asked to bring before the Utilities Commission the necessity of extending the water mains on King street west and St. Lawrence avenue so that a hydrant for fire purposes may be placed at the corner of Stu- art street and St. Lawrence avenue. WHEN HOT DAYS COME The Happy Coolness of Montserrat Lime Fruit Juice. This healthful golden juice; with its snappy, fruity; aromatic flavour, | is a summer n ity as well as a | summer luxury. It keeps you well, it does you,good, it supplies thg| pure fruit acid -that the system | needs. Else why is it supplied by the British Government in such large quantities to the navy and the expeditionary forces? The reason is, it keeps people healthy and is a most satisfying, cooling beverage for a hot day. Montserrat Lime Fruit Juice is refined from cultivated limes grown in the beautiful island of '.Mont- serrat. ¢ All leading druggists and grocers have 3& Get the' genuine Montser- ral " THE TRAFFIC BY.LAW Innit Needs 'Revising In The Interests Of The Tratftic by-law was made by the City Council on Monday night to gent with the Ontario statutes. Ald. Nickle brought to 'the Coun- evening was Fritzi Scheff in "Pretty | Mrs. Smith" This picture in five | parts was well received by those | present, and proved to be one of the | best comedies ever presented at this | theatre, The other pictures shown were a i{wo-reel Mutual photoplay, | "Old Maid," a Keystone comedy, "A Corner in Babies." The Pathe News ! Film and the Famous Pathe Colored | pictures, All were good and pleas- ed the audience immensely. The vaudeville consisted of Rus. | sell and Grey in a comedy singing | act that proved to be one of the best | seen in this city . The audience was highly pleased, and applauded their several numbers vigorously, among which were "Santa Lucia," "Song Birds, Sing No More," "Back To Ko. komo," and as an encore sang "In the Middle of May." The same pro- gramme will be given to-night and Wednesday afternoon and evening. MOWAT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, The Gifts Are Coming To Hand From Many Sources. Previously acknowledged, $377. $110--Frontenac Chapter, Daugh- ters of Empire, Regent Mrs. T. G. Smith; Treasurer, Miss 8. L. Fra- ser, $10--W, B. Dalton, G. W. Ma- hood. ' $5--Miss Macpherson, Prof. W. T, McClement, $2--Court Addington, No. 1724, I. 0. F., Yarker, Mrs. FF, Wilmot. . Three Successful Students. 2 At the examinations of the Toron- to Conservatory of Music, recently held in Kingston and conducted by A. Oliver. Miss Ethel Sweet, Leeds and Miss Thelma Ownes, For- far, successfully passed the piano ex- aminations and Miss Daisy was also successful in passing with honors. The three young ladies are students of Miss M. Timlin, Jones' Falls. | Ha | isfacti TO ALL GENUINE PACERS. : | GET OUR PRICES For plumbing work, or gas piping. | ve your Sapairing done by ius Sat- on guarantee A. AND J. JAMIESON, | Plumbers and Gasfitters. ---- . BUTTER . WRAPPING PAPER SFINEST QUALITY AT LOWEST PRICE PRINTED OR PLAIN The British Whig Four or Two Passenger Lawn Swings and Hammo Couches Barriefield Camp Military Tailoring, y Military Supplies On the Grounds Next to Y.M.CA. Tent. 'Repairs, Pressing, Etc Crawford & Walsh C. ; sre Corr LETIELD