SLIGHT DROP IN GREYMOUTH CONSOLIDATED RATE THIS YEAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 August 1950, Page 4

SLIGHT DROP IN GREYMOUTH CONSOLIDATED RATE THIS YEAR

The amount proposed to be raised by rates in the Grey mouth Borough this year is £38,626 19s sd, which is £987 7s 6d less than last year. As a result, there will be a slight decrease in the consolidated rate, though the rate for the Cobden special area will be slightly higher. The smaller amount required is occasioned by the reduced amount payable in interest and loan repayment charges, as a result of the maturing of the following loans, the Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge, said in a statement issued this afternoon: Town Improvemei®;s Loan, Conversion Loan No. 2, Omoto Road Widening Loan, 1937, Sewerage Advances to Ratepayers’ Loan, 1937, Omoto Road Slip Loan, 1938, and Unemployment Relief Loan, 1938.

Increase In Cobden

The total of the consolidated rate is 18.530 pence in the £ on the unimproved value for Greymouth and 16.610 pence for Cobden, the respective figures last year being 19.033 pence and 15.767 pence. Most of the benefit of lower loan charges has gone to the Greymouth rating area over which the loans were secured and levied and the increase in Cobden is mainly to provide for larger repayment of debentures relating to the Cobden water supply loan. , The general rate has been increased by less than one-tenth of a penny, which is expected to yield an additional £365. The general rate will now be 9.Bbb pence in the £. The Cobden sewerage, and also the borough hospital, water and sanitation rates, which are not included in the consolidated rate, will not be changed. Special Discount Following the favourable response given last year to the scheme adopted by the council of a discount on the amount of the consolidated rate paid within 30 days of demand, a rebate of 2| per cent, will again be allowed this year on rates paid on or before October 6. Commenting on an item of £450 in funded moneys, the Mayor said that this would be made up as follows: — £lOO for staff recreation room, making £2OO now set aside foi this purpose; £5O to be set aside as a nucleus fund for the childrens library; and £3OO provision for work machinery. , ~ The capital value of the Greymouth borough for the year is shown as £1,654,491 compared with last year s £1 627 306,' and the unimproved value £359,600 (£360,034). The Cobden values are £321,687 capital and £35,692 unimproved, against £308,072 and £35,210 last year. '. Properties excluded from rating in Greymouth borough total £396,492 (capital value) this year, an increase of £15,000, and £29,457 in Cobden, a £l3OO increase. In Grey mouth, the exempted properties include the ie-

mainder, £349,701, Government property. It is estimated that the rates to be struck this year will call for payment cf £38,626, of which £34,144 will come from Greymouth and £4,482 from Cobden, but it is estimated that only £37,850 will be paid.

BOROUGH ESTIMATES LOSS EXPECTED ON YEAR’S ACTIVITY

An -expenditure of £94,126 is expected by the Greymouth Borough Council this year, according to a summary of the estimated receipts and payments for the term.,, The year, according to the' summary, should end with £lBB cash in hand and an overdraft of £9595. The overdraft at the beginning of the year, including unpresented cheques,-was £8269. Principal receipts this year are expected to include £37,850 from rates, with another £3OO in penalty payments for late payments, and another £l5OO in payments now outstanding. Revenue Items Licensing fees, including heavy traffic, are expected to bring in £3400, and a proportion of the petrol tax (from Main Highways Board) £2200. The sale of gas is estimated to produce £17,500, fittings and'appliances £3OOO, and residuals and cottage rent £6052.

Other items include reserves rent £350, cemetery fees £625, plots recovered £5OO, library fees’ £215, abattoir fees £3500, water closet licences £5250, and other revenue £2OOO, a total of £84,342. Items Of Expenditure Biggest item on the payments side is £26,500 for Gas Department wages and upkeep, with £2,500 for fittings and appliances and £630 allowed for depreciation. Office salaries will absorb £4400, miscellaneous £3OOO.

Street improvements this year will cost only £2684, with the biggest item in this section, £4697 for street maintenance. £l3OO will be paid for street lighting and £350 for kerbing and channelling. Main highways will cost £2348, and drainage £2117. The collection of household rubbish and night soil will cost £2437.

The cost of reserves is estimated at £3028, and the cemetery £BBO. In the water account, it is estimated that upkeep and extensions will cost £1732, and electric power for the pumps £2300. Municipal Undertakings The cost of other municipal undertakings will be shared as follows: abattoir, including depreciation, £3400, library and reading room £1653, swimming baths upkeep £2OO, centennial rest room £340, library rent £lO4. Other items of expenditure listed include £llO as town hall ground rent, £4116 hospital levy, £6BB fire prevention, £706 health and nuisance inspectors, £7OO election expenses, £l2O unauthorised, £10,553 interest and sinking fund charges, £74 Cobden bridge, £1025 Westland Catchment Board, £ 150 contingencies, £450 funded moneys and £4OO discount on rates.