New-York tribune., 1906-07-28
NEWCASTLE RATES.
MIA Taration Is Losoer There than
IN Other English I'osons.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. July


80, They have examined the accounts ana
-. n the private gas and electricity comma
rpIeh supply Newcastle. Gateshead and the
s.s.s-t districts with light and power The
- ~ ouerations adopted by the National Civic
5I-ssrstI0n involved a comparison OF the results
..yle ana private ownership OF the gas. cleo
- : and tramway services IN English cities
- Newcastle the tramways have been mu-
,-,-.l,zod. ana fhe power station not only gem
- she energy required fOr operating them.
-. olso liRhts the streets through which the
ruro,,s run and the public buildings owned by
=. ,orooration. The American engineers and
.,unssnts have not taken up this example OF
--zicirai trading but have made an exhaustive
- Of the plant Of the private gas and cleo
.-s,,,r companies. Probably they have not
s.,,s The gas rates as low in Newcastle as I'm
-,-ass. but without doubt the charges are
-.s.zate In comparison with those IN American
80. although the quality may not be so good
,-ss electricity plant, it may be inferred with
,-rsl safety, has also been satisfactorily tested
~ the charges for light and power have been
.sozn to be as low as in cities like Manchester
"a Glasgow, where the service is under munich
=, control The commissioners cannot have
,esed their time in Newcastle, since facts are
,vYnable here for a lucid exposition OF the re-
euIts of private ownership. They may, however
have uassed over several important factors in
ebe general problem OF economy in local govern
,,ent for their investigation was conducted on
hsra-and-fast lines
Newcastle for example, has the enviable repu-
.,,,on Of being the lowest rated among the great
,.os Of the kingdom. Lancaster, with a popu-
l.t,on 4 fifth as great has a better record in
loeal taxation. but il is almost the only i'm
,,v4ant borough which successfully competes
,sfb Newcastle in economy Of administration
ne rate was IS. Sd in the pound last year. and is
now S. I'd the additional I'd being required for
no increased cost Of education, the public
ubrary and improvements. Barrow, Southport
& Helens. Bournemouth and Eastbourne,
which have been among the lowest rated
boroughs. have slightly increased the burdens Of
heal taxation in the same way. In Newcastle
rsnts are high. and this seems to imply that as
easements are we'll abreast with valuations. For
every pound assessed one shilling Is paid for
paupeTisYn, two shillings for city, district and
general rates and the balance of 2s I'd. is equal
" divided between Improvements and education
This is q favorable exhibit in comparison with
other English cities "a the province, and the
planation Of the low rate may readily be sup
rlisd Il is not due to municipal trading. There
ssno contribution from the municipal tramways
soY the relief Of the rates. and the water, gas
ana electricity supply is controlled by private
companies as in Westminster and nearly all the
metropolitan boroughs. Newcastle has not
r4TsIled Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester. Liverpool.
Euu and other northern towns IN the multi
pllelty Of municipal industries. Il owns tram
ways markets cemeteries baths and libraries.
but not a penny is saved IN taxes from these
Undertakings. If rates are low 1t IS because the
city has valuable estates. coal royalties and other
.-f,s,g
These freehold estates belonging TO the
Toration include the Walker and wilmington
properties, with more than eleven hundred acres
On the north side of the Tyne and the salt
meadows on the south bank. The land is let on
building and improving leases for terms Of sew
enty-nye and ninety-nine years, and is steadily
rising in value these agreements fall in. The
Walker estate. comprising 1,15O, acres, was pur-
chased early in the eighteenth century for
l2220 end with its valuable coal royalties has
proved highly renunerative. The corporation,
In addition TO thirteen hundred acres in three
productive estates owns quays along the river
considerable portion Of the bed and foreshore
and the Town Moor. one of the most spacious
recreation grounds IN the kingdom. From these
estates an average annual income OF 1896 100
mas been drawn during the last ten years. and.
apart from the parks and sites of public build
ngE. this represents a capital Of between S15.-
10000 and S20OOOOOO
When the City Corporation issued its last pros
pectus for loan. it could add its markets,
tamW'ays and public buildings to this valuable
landed estate and estimate its assets at more
than SS2000O0O with a surplus of nearly S15.-
Wl0OO over all liabilities. No other town in the
Kingdom IS I'm a more favorable position either
aef financing public works or for reducing the
burdens Of local taxation. With well managed
pfoperties. which are constantly rising in value.
me Town Council IS under obligation to keep
newcastle among the lowest-rated provincial
pc"ns. II IS considered a grievance by tax
payers that the rates have risen fourpence dur
ing the last year and since the assessments are
ioF fuI value, there is a conviction that with
ooser management there would be reduction
% nVe shilings in the pound.
corporation with so many resources for
-a'sihg revenue from quays coal royalties and
rem rolls has not been conspicuous for energy
n the development OF municipal industries A
Aealthy landlord with an estate well invested,
/" mas not been eager TO try experiments in
Iaolng in the hope Of saving a sixpence or a
oininng IN the rates. II has been so sluggish
" uaeSe matters ehat It has neglected to secure
'iIol OF its water supply and has remained
peIoent upon private company. Glasgow,
-lahchester and other towns have converted the
90 service into profitable business but New
S'e has been content with the London policy
ehoWing the gas shareholders TO rival the
~'0'perity n the water barons There are two
ses companies, and since the charges are kept
-O"h TO two shillings. consumers not in
WI against private ownership There are
''o Two private electricity companies. and they
suffered 70 control the bulk of the electric
s4'lhg although the town corporation has
R,a
!" as 70 supply al the power needed for great
manufacturing centre