NORTHCOTE ESTIMATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 120, 23 May 1928, Page 5

NORTHCOTE ESTIMATES.

LOAN MONEY INADEQUATE.

RATES NOT TO BE RAISED.

According to statements made last evening by the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Greenslade), when moving the adoption of the estimates for the ensuing financial year, the North cote borough has to find £720 more for interest and hospital charges than was paid last year. Moreover, even with the ten per cent additional loan cf £2740, of the original £27,400 authorised, ttle amount of £30,140 had been found insufficient to adequately complete the Queen Street concrete paving work. Necessary extras on the contracts let had, apparently, absorbed the surplus which it was hoped would be available for sealing the macadamised sides of the Queen Street carriageway between the concrete and kerbing. In consequence, the sealing of the shoulders was to be undertaken out of revenue, instead of loan, and £1300 had been allocated for this work. The council was thoroughly satisfied that a really good job had been made of the concrete road. This street was now a main highway, and threefifths of approved maintenance would be borne by the Highways Board. With this, and amounts set aside for the upkeep of Lake ajid Onewa Roads, a total expenditure on main highways maintenance of £1856 was allowed for, and £1114 of this was expected to be refunded as highways subsidy. Besides this main road expenditure, the sum of £1916 was allotted for other street maintenance and works, £300 for children's playground, £251 for improvement and upkeep of reserves, £143 for fire brigade, besides the usual administration and similar expenses. The estimates submitted were based on the same total rate as was collected last year, viz., ninepence in the £ on the unimproved value of £266,286, which included the water supply rate of one-halfpenny in the £. In the portion of the borough excluded from the drainage area, however, the rate would be nearly threepence in the £ less.

Mr. A. T. Munn seconded the adoption of the estimates on the basis of a total levy of ninepenee, Messrs. R. "Martin C. H. Johnston, Harry Weaver and W. C. Ellis supported.

Mr. Frank Wilson moved, and Mr. E. J- Fraser seconded, an amendment to increase the general rate by practically a farthing in order to more adequately provide for work of a necessarv nature. Mr. Wilson added that the rates were reduced a farthing last year, and contended ratepayers would prefer to have this amount reinstated in order to provide for additional work, especially in view of the reduced general rate to allow for the heavier interest and hospital charges.

Mr. A. J. Lennon supported the amendment, which was lost by six to three, the Major remarking that the majority of the council felt that the present was not the time to increase rates, where this could be avoided, in view of the general unemployment and business depression. The estimates, providing for a total levy of ninepenee, were then adopted by six to three.