CATCHMENT BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 57, Issue 3981, 14 April 1948, Page 6

CATCHMENT BOARD

PUBLICATION OPPOSED EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR At the last meeting of the Hauraki Catchment Board the clerk, Mr C. A. Walsh, piesented estimates of expenditure and the board was able to consider its financial position for the coming 12 months. There was practically no comment or discussion on the matter since members were acquainted with the position. Some members, however, were opposed to the Press having access to the estimate papers when they requested them to be made available. These members pointed out that they raised no objections to the Press reporting the figures verbatim, but in view of the fact that there were many people who were waiting for an opportunity to ridicule the board they considered it unwise to release the papers to the Press. The chairman, Mr H. M. Corbett, said he did not desire a resolution on the matter but he asked members for their opinions. In Interests of Board A member of the Press duly pointed out that it was in the interests of the board to make the papers available since with such a lengthy set of figures there would inevitably be anomalies if the figures were not checked, and the resultant inaccuracy would do more harm than good. It was further explained that it was the practice to publish these estimates. Mr Corbett said he was not sure whether the board should have gone into committee, but as the Press had taken details while the figures were read out by the clerk, he could see no reason under these circumstances why the Press could not have the figures. There was considerable division of opinion, but finally the estimate sheets were made available. Estimated Income A total rate of £9,172 struck was estimated to produce a 95 per cent, collection or £8,713 on European lands, and 10 per cent, of £ll7 on the Native portion, £l2, giving a total of £8,725. The cost of collection by local authorities was estimated at £6OO, and together with the £l5O discount to be allowed for prompt payments, this would be £750. This would leave a balance of £7,975. Expenditure to March 31, 1948, was estimated to total £2459, and plus that to the end of March, 1949, some £5,459, the total would be £7,918. This would leave a narrow margin of £57.

Expenditure included a total of £1.492 in salaries. This amount included the chairman’s honorarium of £l5O, the clerk-treasurer’s salary of £550, the engineer’s (4-sths of the year at £750) £625, the typiste’s (4-sths year at £200) £167, the engineering cadet’s (1-year at £200) £l5O, and £B5 for superannuation purposes. The purchase of an engineer’s vehicle was put down at £750, plus £260 for running expenses, including registration and insurance. Advertising, printing and stationery would account for further £360, plus the office’s general expenses of £lB9, and £365 for equipment. An amount of £4O was set aside for insurances. The interest on the administrative loan would be £250. Survey costs, including maps, plans, etc., would be £704. The total was £5,459.

Members expressed the opinion that at a later stage the board would have to make provision for a launch, and although it would be peculiar to the board alone, nevertheless it would have to be kept in mind.