OUR CITY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19480, 29 November 1928, Page 13

OUR CITY.

A YEAR'S PROGRESS. INTERESTING FACTS AND FIGURES. The Christchureh City Council's Tear Book for 1928-29 has been issued and offers an opportunity to make some interesting comparisons with the figures given in last year's issue of the same publication. _ Following the practice of previous issues there are several interesting views incorporated. These- include thS New Brighton beach, the rose garden, Cashcl street (looking cast), boating scene on the Avon, the Bridge of Eemembrance, the Scott statue, and the Sockburn aerodrome. Indicative of the lean times experienced m the year 1927-28 is the fact that the value of buildings in respect of which permits were issued has been exceeded in every year since and including 1922-23. In that year the value was £649,066; in 1927-28 it was £616,110. The year 1926-27 was a record, tho values being £846,461. The capital value on March 31st last was £23,521,296, an increaso of £1,327,901 compared with March 31st, 1927. Unimproved value, £8,894,514; increase, £226,595. Value of improvements, £14,626,782; increase, £1,301,306. The municipal debt on March 31st last totalled £1,312,069, an increase of £149,600. The increase in 1926-27 over 1925-26 was £144,209. Other comparisons are as follows:

Kates levied for the year 1927-28 amounted to £315,618; in 1926-27, £301,284. Last year's issue of the Year Book gave the information that- the average rates per head of population (including the rates and other local bodies collected by the City Council) was £3 12s 4d. Corresponding information is absent from this year's issue. Building Statistics: No. of permits issued in 1927-28, 1217 (previous year, 1324); value, £616,110 (previous year, £846,461). In the inner area, 79' permits (previous year, 63) were issued in respect of buildings valued at £140,736 (previous year, £131,954). Principal items of receipts:

Principal items of expenditure:

• Municipal debt: The City's loans outstanding March 31st, IMJ. »*g»* £1 312 069 (previous year, BhSne fund accrued, £348,412 (previTea• £310,859). Loans maturing t ? 10*8 29 total £6159, and the accrued Sntog fund o ß n March 31st last totted £337 In 1929-30 loans, totalling i,S6i. R i n vi ne funds (on, mature, and the ■• sinking £4317 March 31st last) amounted to £«!/.

Population, City (April 1st) Population, Suburbs (April 1st) 1928. 86,500 36,640 1927. 83,266 38,514 Rateable buildings ,. Inhabited dwellings .. Stores and warehouses 123,140 24,172 21,118 2.859 121,780 23,616 20,617 2.806

1928. 1927. £ £ Rates t,., 235,866 227,659 Licenses 17,181 26,737 Kents 27,891 2,88? Abattoir fees, etc. , 9,520 8,604 Dog tax 978 1,012 Sale of current ./ 192,838 178,860

192S. 1927. ' £ £ Salaries .. 17,762 . 14,367 Office expenses .. 6,667 2,452 Street works 110,472 08,201 Reserves and parks Grants •• 13,243 2,360 15,290 - 2,544 Abattoir •• Street lighting .. 6,939 9,853 5,174 9,738 Hospital and Charitable fire prevention . • Sinking Fund ' •• 24,656 5,862 ■ 18,999 20,365 6,025 77,228 Lake Coleridge current 67,500 ,-.59,841