COUNTY FINANCE.

Grey River Argus, 9 July 1927, Page 2

COUNTY FINANCE.

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT. INCREASE IN RATES PREDICTED. The adjourned meeting of the Grey County Council, held on Thursday, was resumed yesterday morning. The ('hairman (Cr J. Ryall) submitted tin* following statement, concerning the County’s financial position: ‘‘l beg' to report on the financial position for the current yea: - . The slump in the timber industry will have a serious effect (>n the Council’s finances and although tin* returns for the first quarter are satisfactory, the Council’s principal source of revenue is likely to show a reduction of about three thousand pounds. It is impossible to estimate the exact amount, but everything points to a substantial drop in Timber Rovaltios. In addition to loss of rovalties, the Council will lose the whole of the rating on timber areas which have been exempted from the provisions of the Rating Act by a recent Supreme Court decision. This means a reduction of £suB in rates alone. (Another Hotel License has lapsed in' the Cbunty, whilst the Health authorities are asking for the demolition of another licensed house. To make matters worse, the Hospital levy has increased from £3109 to £4003, this being more than half the total rate levied in the County. Yon will therefore realise that the Council will not be able to carry on with the present, rate, whilst the possibility o< a Power Board Rate will not help to make matters any the lighter for the ( ounty ratepayers. ’ ’ The Council discussed the matter in ommittee. On resuming open Conned, it was resolved to hol’d a special meeting, at a date to be fixed, during the pr‘sent month, to strike t’..' rate for rhe ensuing year. GENERAL. The Chairman reported that certain members of the Coun< il had iii'pected the Greenstone R »ad on the previous afternoon, and laid found that ad out two and a-half miles of the rord had been badly cut up, apparently by the timber lorries. Members of the party had then interviewed M” M. McLeim. of the Dominion Hem 1 Building Coy., eonc-rning the matter. After some discussion i‘ w n s remixed t l- .:t th? Dominion Home Building (Y.v. b • asl’-'d f-> p.i: • h : ■•• ■1 bev.-. on fl; * Cr. onstmi? B/'dg • and th > -.awmiP. i.i - e’ai: - . The Chaiimoji wph t lone 1 that the Council i ‘d nlrerjiy irid-’-taken tne work of piecing th* road in order, between lidmii' and Blackwater. It was resolve 1 that the Council .-supply ne*s for making groins, in connection with the Canoe Creek protection works proposal. The Traffic Inspector (Mr Sloss) forwarded a report stating that he was taking action against a lorry owner for driving an excessive load on the Grev-Westport Road, at Ton Mile. The Council decided to employ a man to assist the Traffic Inspector in the work of impounding cattle.