LOCAL BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES.

NEW LYNN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

At a special meeting held for the purpose of considering the estimates, the Xew Lynn Borough Council leeolved to give notice of ite intention to strike a consolidated rate of 2/10 in the £ on the town area and 1/5 in the £ on the Kelston area, both on the unimproved value, theee bein£ the same rates as last year. General Account.—The estimated receipts on the general account other than rates amounted to £1600, the expenditure on the various accounts being: General account £666.), hospital account £1000, .street lighting £415, War Memorial Museum ,£B.>, conversion loan interest i.095,5, and Keleton loan interest £155, a total estimated expenditure of £15,273. Consolidated Kate.—The consolidated date of 2/10 in the £ on the town area was estimated to produce £13.316, and the rate of 1/.) in the £ on the KeUton area to produce £467. These, with the receipts other than rates, K ive a total revenue of i; 1.1.308. £125 in excess of the estimated, expenditure. Discount For Payment.—Provision was made for the demands to be issued on July 25, with a discount of 2% per cent for payment on or before August 24, and t'he charging of a 10 per cent penalty on all rates not paid by Thursday, February o. Xo Increase In Rate.—ln commenting on the estimates, the Mayor, Mr. A. T. Reiman, pointed out that increased costs for labour and material had to be met, and these increases really warranted an increase in the rate, b;it the council wished to keep the rate at the present level, and if ratepayers made the same excellent response as last year in the payment of current rates and rate arrears the council hoped to be able to meet the extra expense without any increase in the rate. The Mayor further pointed out that the same provision had lx>en made for expenditure on street* and footpaths, but with the increased use of plant there was an increase of £530 in plant operation costs. It was difficult for the council to meet this, but it was hoped that the increased expenditure would provide many improvement* to the present roads and footpaths. Water Maintenance Account.—The town clerk reporte<l that the estimates for the water maintenance account only showed an excess of receipts over expenditure of £250. The council resolved not to make any increase in charges at present in an effort to eliminate the debit ball nee of £tjlso. but to endeavour to increase the surplus by effecting economies.