TAKAPUNA'S FINANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1927, Page 8

TAKAPUNA'S FINANCES.

"AH UNAVOIDABLE BURDEN."

HEAVY LOAN EXPENDITURE.

Lengthy consideration of the estimates for the coming year wae given by the Takapuna Borough Council last evening, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Williamson) presiding.

"Our duty is to apportion an unavoidable burden, and not to distribute the responsibility for the council's predicament," declared Mr. Williamson.

Owing to the heavy expenditure ia connection with sewerage and road loans, the sum of £22,959 15/ would have to bo provided for interest and linking fund, as compared with only £15,937 for the year just ended* an increase of over £7000. There was also an increase of almost £100 in the Hospital Board levy.

As a result it would be necessary, said Mr. Williamson, for the council to strike a rate of £1 17/6 per £100 capital value. There was just a possibility that the council would be able to reduce that figure by 1/. but the point would not be decided until the council had received legal advice concerning one of the items.

- Recommendations have been made to the finance and legal committee to go carefully into the question of the amalgamation of some of the duties of the staff and office generally, with a view to reducing the staff, and also the salaries.

It is the intention of the council to hold several public meetings at an early date in order lo put the present finaucinl j>os-it idii of the borough clearly before the ratepayers.