CITY ESTIMATES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 80, 5 April 1932, Page 8

CITY ESTIMATES

' „ , — 1" CRATES, DOWN? ' The, .Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, stated at yesterday afternoon's meeting of the1 City Council that further pruning had still to be made in certain of the departmental estimates if the alj-jound reduction, of 20 per cent, on last-year's figures was to be achieved. No direct indication was given whether, the rates for the current financial year will be on a lower level than last year, but Mr. Hislop said thai revenue would be down by approximately £50,000, and certain charges would this year be higher. Meetings of the special committee sot up to consider the estimates had becm held, said Mr. Hislop, but certain of the .department estimates had to be further considered. The present position was that the Works Committee allocation, onginally £.171,667, had been reduced to £149,937, whereas under the 20 per cent, reduction the 'figure 1 'be £144,000., Reserves were * down to £29,007, their- allocation being1 £ 29,320. Bylaws, which had originally asked for £19,084, and were allocated £12,940, were now ,down to £13,440. Libraries were downvt&'their figure of £7630, 'and Health,-whose allocation should be £6130,' had reduced from £6460 to £6171. The departmental estimates, which had originally totalled £234,161, were now, reduced Jo, £206,265, still about £6000 above what they should be under the plan of a 20 poi cent, reduction. The general-position, continued Mr. Hislop, was that last year the council had about £250,000 of free money, but this "year there would not be more than about ,£200,000 owing to reductions in income and . increases in different charges.. ' 'COLLECTION OF LAST YEAR'S RATES.. ( ' The charge for last financial year, said Mr. Hislop, was £508,341 12s, and the amount collected up to 31st March was £464,042 Is lid, leaving the amount "outstanding at £44,299 10s Id. Of the total levy 91.29 per cent, was collected, which, although less than the previous year (95.35 per cent.), was to be regarded -as very 'satisfactory in view, of the exceptional financial conditions during tho .'past .year. The total arrears, outstanding1 at 31st March, 1931," was £33,221 19s 6d, and of that amount £14,490 0s lOd, or 43.62 per cent., had been collected during the past year, leaving £18,731 18s Bel outstanding at 31st March, 1932. During tho past year 406 summonses were issued. Councillor W. Duncan: "Do you recommend aay reduction in rates this year?" Tho Mayor .replied that that would be. .dealt with ..when, the .estimates .were before ' the council. On the present rate the revenue would be £50,000 less <han, last year. , ; ■

A meeting of the creditors of "Walter Goring Johnston, merchant; of Wellington; held at the office of the Official Assignee (Mr. S. Tansley) to-day, was adjourned sine die to enable proceedings for annulment to be instituted.