Nassella Board Could Have £14,000 Deficit

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30711, 29 March 1965, Page 8

Nassella Board Could Have £14,000 Deficit

In the forthcoming year, the North Canterbury NasseDa Tussock Board could expect a- deficit of about £14,000, unless some action can be taken to increase the board’s income, the secretarymanager (Mr F. J. Foley) said at the board’s meeting on Thursday. Presenting a preview of the board’s estimates, Mr Foley said it was expected that during the 1965-66 year the board would spend about £114,000. Its income was estimated at a maximum of about £lOO,OOO. Rising wages were the cause of the expected deficiency. This was brought about by the 6 per cent wage rise, an increase in the award, the payment of overtime, and the large numbers of men in the board’s gangs. In the current year, the board had employed more labour than ever before and had accomplished a great ’deal more work than in the past, Mr Foley said. In the 1965-66 year, the board could expect to spend

about £85,000 on salaries and wages. To offset the deficiency, Mr Foley suggested that the board could increase the counties’ contributions, or raise the grubbing charge to property owners, which at present was 6s an hour, to about 9s or 10s an hour. A further Government grant was another way of overcoming the problem. Because of the state of the board’s finances, Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane suggested that the board defer discussion of an application for an access track subsidy for two months. By then, members would have a better idea of the financial position, he said. The board received a letter from the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys), commending the board on its work. The Government Interdepartmental Committee on Nassella Tussock had reported to him on the board’s work. Mr Taiboys Said the work done, especially over recent years, had been outstanding.