REDUCED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1936, Page 17

REDUCED.

MOUNT ALBERT RATES.

FROM 4 3-8 D TO 4D IN THE £,

borough policy triumphs. On the recommendation of tlie chairman, Mr. H. A. Anderson, of the legal and finance committee, the Mount Albert Borough Council last night . approved of a reduction In the rate for the present year from 4gd to 4d in the £, and also of the discontinuance of the charge of 5/ per year for refuse removal, which would be covered in the rate of 4d in the £. A special meeting of the council will bo held on June 30 to strike the rate as recommended. Mr. Anderson was congratulated by all members of the council upon his excellent report, which indicated the happy position in which the Aiount Albert Council was now placed. Eating in Mount Albert is based on the capital value of property, and the following table shows the reduction in rates on the properties as valued:— A;, £ le ' in--; on Amount of -Tuv 19...J-3G 1936-01. reduction. .>OO .. 9 I 4 8 G 3 1 0 S (jOO ..11 a 9 10 0 O 13 0 ■■ Yl ,2 g 1113 I on nnn " il' S la 0 S 130 O ■ 100 .. 1G 13 2 15 O o 113 •> « 1000 .. ]S 0 7 1G 13 4 1 1G 3 -000 .. 30 14 2 33 (J 8 3 7 G No ratepayer, however large, will benefit to a less extent than approximately 9 per cent. The average saving to ratepayers in the borough will be fl 10/. Floating Debt Extinguished. In his report, Mr. Anderson said the extinction of the floating indebtedness of the borough at the conclusion of the financial year just closed had enabled a substantial and justlliabie reduction in the rate levy. Mr. Anderson paid a tribute to the splendid manner in which tho ratepayers had faced obligations which had weighed onerously on them, and he trusted that the rate reduction would prove a reasonable measure of recom- ( pense to ratepayers for their genuine efforts in times of difficulty. He was. happy to announce the reduction recommended in the rate is from 4 3-8 d in the £ to 4d in the £, together with at least an additional 5/ on every dwelling by reason of including the refuse removal •chargo in tho general rate and not, as previously, striking this as a separate rate. While the reduction was doubtless the outstanding feature of the rating schedule and estimates, there were other items of interest and which would afford satisfaction. There was a 50 per cent increase in the Public Works grant for the year, £7500 compared with £5000 last year, Items of £200 for town planning and £300 in respect of the revision of by-laws. An item of importance was tho estimated amount for interest requirements on general account for the ensuing year. A sum only of £300 was scheduled, a notable reduction when the actual amount paid for overdraft interest five years ago was no less a figure than £2653. The continued and substantial extinction of this payment was directly referable to the complete success of the policy of the consolidation- of . the borough finances steadily pursued over the period.

Policy Matters. Mr. Anderson indicated that certain policy considerations outlined by the Mayor, Mr. K. Ferner, had been applied in a practical manner in arriving at the schedules submitted. These, matters of. policy could be substantially sunimarised as follows:—(1) The adoption, of a system as operated successfully by other- local authorities of rating out debits and credits in . the rating accounts; (2). the inclusion in full of the committee recommendations for expenditure this year; (3) the discontinuance of rating separately for refuse collection ind bringing , this item into general account; (4) making provision for the smallest possible rate levy, having regard always to maintaining a balanced budget. ' . Dealing with receipts in the borough, the report stated that the estimated debit in the general account of £1831 had actually been converted into a credit of £799. The principal matters which accounted for thij pleasing situation were the £106u Government grant, secured by the effort 3of : the Mayor in the matter- of> rates on State mortgaged properties, an increased collection of approximately £1000 in the general rate, and an excess

over estimate gf some £722 on heavy taaffic and van drivers' license fees. It was estimated to end tlie year with a credit balance of £447, a. forecast which was interesting when it was recalled that the general account on March. 31,, 1931, was v in debt to-the staggering "amount of £14,550; At the commencement of the last financial year the debit balances in the general, separate, and special rating accounts, aggregated £12,477, and at March 31 last the debits had been reduced >to £1366. Mr. Anderson concluded his report by stating that the reduction had been achieved in the rating level, and at the same time provision was being made for further substantial capital expenditure, 'ia the essential services of sewer drainage construction, scaling of carriageways,' and. the laying of concrete footpaths! The a,mount. covered by the ■works' schedule, which had already been submitted and adopted, provided for a total expenditure of approximately £25,000, taking into account the available .subsidy. It was altogether a notable achievement for the borough. The Mayor. Mr. R. Ferner, in moving that the report be received and adopted and that a special meeting of the'council be held on June 30 to strike a rate of 4d in the £, said the reduction was fully justified. The overdraft, which stood at £34,000 in 1931, had been extinguished and. the systematic work put in on the borough finances during the last fe'w years was achieving the inevitable results. The triumph of the policy of the council would give great satisfaction to all. "Too often financial solvency is achieved by virtue of measures which bring hardship "or oppression upon the individual ratepayer or which delay or impede the normal development of the district," said the Mayor, "but in making this large rate reduction this council can fitirly and honestly say that in its battle { for an improved financial position.it ha& not dispossessed' one ratepayer of his home; has not discontinued any borough service; has not exploited any worker to gain a paltry economy; and has-not done any maintenance work with . relief labour. On the other hand the council has actively continued th 2 development of the borough at a normal rate; has, during the past three years, laid 22 miles of concrete footpath?, seven miles of sewer drains and sealed ten miles of roadway—all at standard rates of pay; has paid standard rates of pay to all workers; has brought in the principle ofthe 40-hour week; has promoted and —for three years; has • extinguished 'kit overdraft of £34,000 in five years; and |. pursued ,a. special employment, scheme/. has made proper provision for mainten- I ana." '