OTAMATEA COUNTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 2

OTAMATEA COUNTY.

The first meeting of the newly-elected council was held on Wednesday last. The chairman, Mr. Rodney Coates, tendered congratulations to former councillors who had been re-elected, and to the late members he expressed sincere appreciation of their valuable 6ervice to the council.

Annual Report.—The chairman's annual report showed careful management for the year. All ridings had worked within the estimate, and there was a total net working credit of £2094 on the ridings accounts. During the year maintenance .was carried on over 48 miles of main highways, subsidised on the basis of £i to £1 and £3 to £1 by the Main Highways Board. On other roads 22% miles new metalling had been done, subsidised by the Public Works Department. Total receipts for the year amounted to £30,960, total payments to £31,192, and the total turnover was £62,152. The total net e gineering cost was £961, and the total clerical cost £580. The engineering department, in addition to road works to a value of £18,245, carried out several surveys at a saving of £89 to the council. The past year had been a very trying one for the council and the staff, considerable work having been curtailed in connection with unemployment and many other concerns. The chairman paid a tribute to the staff for its wholehearted service. The report concluded with expressions of appreciation to Ministers of the Crown and Departmental officers for valued assistance and also to the neighbouring county councils of Whangarei and Hobson for co-oneration.