MOUNT EDEN BOROUGH FINANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 6

MOUNT EDEN BOROUGH FINANCE.

As a ratepayer of many years' residencein the Mount Eden Borough I have watched with interest its progress in regard to popula-f tion and value. To this can be attributed, in addition to its natural advantages, the sound progressive policy adopted by the council in respect to those most essential features, viz., drainage, roads, water and lighting. Unfortunately we rarely express our appreciation of the work of those who, recognising their civic responsibilities, devote much of their valuable time to assist and guide in local administration. I have been perturbed of late in reading some of the circulars issued by the Mount Eden Ratepayers and Householders' Association accusing the council of withholding information regarding the financial position of theborough. An executive consisting of sixteen in number—but no names are given—outlines a so-called platform and "stresses the need for':a complete change in the administration off: the borough affairs. Failure to achieve this will mean a further two years of the present'" unbridled expenditure without any regard to: the state of the borough finances." As Councillor Nagle was advertised at the invitation of the above association to deal with the state of the borough finances, I attended the public meeting last week. I liaye not attended a meeting with so much satisfaction, and any doubts I may have had through reading .misleading circulars were completely dispelled'. l In regard to financial secrecy, Mr. . Nagle produced the published balance-sheet of the borough made up to March 31, 1930, which ia: open for inspection to every ratepayer in the borough. Being a councillor, Mr. Nagle was, of course, in a position to give the meeting some up-to-date figures, but they Avere cer- ' tainly not a reliable guide to the position that will be disclosed on March 31 this year. In referring to the public debt, Mr. Nagle did not tell the meeting the present amount of accrued sinking fund. Why? It was quite evident that Mr. Nagle was unable to criticise adversely the Mayor or council, or support the ratepayers' accusation of two years' unbridled expenditure and financial secrecy or to suggest an alternative to the policy of the borough, which has been one of pro<rress, stability and economy. RATEPAYER.