WAIPARA COUNTY COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21580, 17 September 1935, Page 9

WAIPARA COUNTY COUNCIL

At the monthly meeting of the Vvaipara County Council, there were present Crs. W. K- McAlpine (chairman!, R. I. Black, A. Cowie, D. S. Mackenzie, J. Quiglev, and J. G. Whyte. The treasurer reported that receipts since the last meeting totalled £124 «s 4d, making a total of £3138 Is 7d since the start of the financial year. Accounts before members for payment amounted to £1941 19s 3d, including £1531 17s lOd due to the North Canterbury Hospital Board, as the current year's levy. After allowing for payment of these amounts, there would be an overdraft at the bank cf £2261 15s 7d. Offsetting this, however, there were accrued Government subsidies and sundry refunds amounting to £2087 due at an early date. Dealing with expenditure on roading works, it was shown that out of an authorised estimate of £13460 for maintenance and construction of maiu highways, there had been expended £lßsl. On roads other than main highways, for which the annual vote was £§673, expenditure amounted to £2176.

■The following rates were levied on the capital value: —General, including provision for hospital levy, |d in the £;. Lake Sumner road special area, 2£d; Waipara river bridge special area, 2dj Stonyhurst special area, |d; Waikari Hall special area, l/15th d; and Horsley Downs drainage and water supply area, 2d. The valuation of the county, oil which the general rate was levied, had as the result of a revaluation been reduced from £3,535.118 to £3,028,000. It had been found necessary, therefore, to increase the general rate levy free Id to 3d in the £l, to produce the I same amount as before on the old valuation. This might affect the amount of rates payable by individual ratepayers, especially those who obtained revaluations during the first year or two of the depression and bad thereby reaped the benefit of a reduced rate. , {The chairman reported having made representations to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) for some assistance in providing a deviation in order to avoid the sharp bends and steep grades in the Weka Pass and in the Greta cuttings, and had been promised an immediate investigation of the matter. Favourable consideration had also been promised for a request I for assistance to bridge the Blythe river. The chairman said also that he had headed a deputation from residents of Waikari who waited en M.Forbes with a request for the erection of a post office at Waikari in place cf the present unsatisfactory arrangements for handling postal business at j the railway station. ( A letter was read from the New Zealand Counties' Association, asking for assistance in securing legislation to replace the present subsidy on general rates with a £1 for £1 subsidy on work done on roads other than main and secondary highways. The clerk, in his report, submitted figures which showed that had the proposed legislation been in force during the last four years, the county would have been the loser to the extent of £s&&. It was resolved to protest against immediate action being taken, pending a full enquiry into the effects of the proposal on county finance. The completion and sealing of a lease of Six acres of railway land in the Weka Pass was authorised. It was agreed that the decking- of the Waipara river bridge be repaired.