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138
" Metropolitan Board of Works) expenditure and obligations
" have been incurred for the purpose of supplying wants
" arising from the defects of former administration of the
" affairs of the metropolis, and of effecting permanent
" improvements which have tended to increase the value
" of property in the metropolis." They conclude, "Your
" Committee therefore recommend that in any arrangement
" of the fundamental resources of the Metropolitan Board, a
" portion of the charge for permanent improvements and
" works shall be borne by the owners of property within the
" metropolis, the rate being in the first instance paid by the
" occupier and subsequently deducted from his rent, as is now
" provided in regard to the general property tax."
The machinery by which it is proposed to give effect to
this principle of local taxation is to take out of the amounts
raised by any rating authority in the metropolis such sum
now included therein as represents borrowed capital or annual
instalments for its repayment, and to substitute in lieu thereof
a metropolitan improvement rate, to be collected as a fixed
charge from the occupier, as in the case of land tax.
The occupier paying the same shall be entitled to deduct
the amount from any rent payable by him to his superior in
title, and each successive owner of any interest less than the
fee simple shall have this power. All contracts whereby this
rate is shifted upon the occupier or the owner of any intermediate
interest are declared void.
Metropolis
Water.
This Bill recites that it is expedient for Sanitary
and other reasons that the power of cutting off water,
supplied by Water Companies for domestic purposes, should
be restricted, and provides that the order of a Magistrate