50 years ago

Hamilton ratepayers have been hit with the steepest rate rise in the city’s history. City councillors decided at Tuesday night’s meeting to fix the rate at 3.8c UCV in the dollar which represents a 30.6 per cent increase. The sharp increase was backed 100 per cent by councillors although the Mayor, Cr. Ron Peck, said he would have preferred the rate to be 3.76c in the dollar. Ratepayers have also been hit with a $1.50 increase in the garbage charges to make the bill $11 for a twice-weekly clearance. Council’s estimated expenditure for the coming year is $707,231 while its income is expected to be about $293,245, from other revenue sources. This left $413,986 to be raised from rate revenue.