MAKARA COUNTY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 57, 30 November 1917, Page 9

MAKARA COUNTY

Interesting remarks regarding the progress of the Makara County wore mado at the annual meeting of tho council held on Wednesday. As retiring chairman; Councillor J. H. Haggerty submitted a statement of tho work of tho council during tho' past three years. The council which had just completed its term had had _a somewhat strenuous time. When it took offico in 1914 it was faced with an overdraft at the bank of £2387. This had been gradually reduced, until at tho end of the financial year the general fund of the council showed a credit of £300, and all separate accountsj with tho exception of the Makara .Riding Account, showed a credit, Until the rate was struck in each year an overdraft was inevitable. ■ The dobit balance at the bank was JE3O4J and after tho severe winter that had been experienced, this must ho regarded as-satisfactory. Only about onethird of the current rates had been received. Couucillor Haggerty referred to the damage dono by the floods cIE 1915, and stated'that to provide for , tho rcTorection' of the larger bridges a loan of £1000 at i\ per cent, was raised, while the remaindor of the flood damage was repaired out of funds provided entirely- by ordinary revenue. The past winter had been art exceptionally, severe one, and the expenditure on roads was necessarily heavy. Ho roforred at length to the-council's position as regards tho Hutt Road, and stated that the motor tax to be levied on all motors registered in the city and suburban areas would to sonio extent relieve the burden on tho ratepayer. Councillor Haggerty al,so made reference to the fact that whilo tho Hospital levies for all other local authorities had been .decreased, that of Miikara had been increased. Tho capital value of tho county in 1308, the year of' its constitution, was £806,805, mid in 1917 it. was £1,045,017. The expenditure of the council for tho year, ended March 31, 1909, on general account was £2976, and fpr the year ended March 31, 1917, it was £3978, which included the- additional Hutt Road maintenance and Hospital levy. Tho amount spout on road maintenance in 1908 was £1737, whilo in 1916-17 it was £1902.

Tho statement, said Councillor Haggerty, would surely couvinco new members that tho old council was alive to tho interest.of tho ratepayers. In conclusion, he thanked councillors and the clerk (Mr. W. Beech) for the assistance given him in the past. Other speakers. were Councillors Windley, Bryant, and Bowler.