AUCKLAND RATES

Grey River Argus, 16 June 1936, Page 5

AUCKLAND RATES

INCREASED HALF PENNY Rise in Hospital Levy (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, .lune 15. Rates totalling 3s UAd, an increase of a half-penny on last year, were tip proved by the City Council, when the annual estimates were submitted by the Mayor, Mr Ernest Davis. The increase is due wholly to a higher levy been imposed on the city bv the Auckland Hospital Board. A deficit of £71.886 at March 31st, .1937, was budgeted for, to ofl’srt which there arc outstanding rates, most of which are believed to he collectable, amounting to £157,901. Last year ended with a deficit of £65,209. this year’s opening debit 1 being £33,999. The Council’s overdraft at Alarch 31st, of £ 79.284, was stated to be the largest for manv years. The requests by the departments for appropriations were pruned so severely that in the words of the Afayor, they have been given definite allocations of money, rathei than estimated sums, to spend. The Council had issued instructions that thi. allocations were not to be exceeded. nor were any savings to he expended elsewhere. DEFICIT GROWS Auckland Transport Board LOSS DUE TO STERLING PAYMENTS. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND. June 15. A deficit of £16,187’, compared with a deficit of £8.351 last year, is shown in rhe balance sheet for the year end■’d March 31s'., of the Auckland Transport Board, which was presented .'it the annual meeting of the Board. There were large increases in both revenue ami expenditure. and £20,030 was paid as eurremy ex

change. Tho Chairman (lion. IT. G. R. Alason) said that the total revenue for the' year, £544.824, was an increase of £22.139 over the previous year. The year’s expenses at £561.010 shoved an increase of £29,974. After the pavment of interest. £112.111. Sinking Fund. £25,532. and other pay meats. there was a deficit of £16,18*. This deficit excluded the sum ot £-1.11-12 payable by way of redemption of a portion of the Board s loan indebtedness. . . The report reviewed the position regarding the Board’s liability to pay in sterling 'iterest on o per een . and sper cent. London domic: (cd debentures of the Auckland City Tramway Loan. 1919 (£1.2u0,000) ami mentioned that an appeal, would be made to ih" e 'Privy Council.