BOROUGH ESTIMATES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4844, 12 May 1936, Page 5

BOROUGH ESTIMATES

BAND GRANT INCREASED. NECESSITY FOR NEW TRUCK. The draft estimates of the Te Kuili Borough Council for the year 1936-37 were considered by the Council last evening. In his report the Clerk estimated that a surplus of £575 would be available for special work or part for the purchase of a new truck. However, the Council last evening decided to increase the subsidy to the Municipal Band from £25 to £SO, and to grant a pound for pound subsidy on £45 to make up the balance for the Band uniform fund. In addition to this, an extra sum of about £l5O is to be spent in deviating the water main from under the road at the slip area in the Waitete Valley. After provision had been made for these matters the estimates were adopted. Reporting on the position the Clerk said that provison had been made for the'carrying forward of the Te Kumi quarry deposit of £350 and contractors’ deposits amounting to £l2. After deducting these amounts from the credit balance of £IOB4 brought forward from last year’s accounts, and allowing for the cemetery account credit of £56 17s 7d, there was a balance of £665 available for this year’s estimates. The estimated receipts for the year amount to £10,897, to which is added the credit of £665, making a total of £11,562. Proposed expenditure amounts to £10,985 10s, leaving a surplus of £576. This is available for allocation for special works or part for the purchase of a new truck. The allocation is a matter for decision by the Council. Provision has been made for the following items of expenditure in addition to the usual allowances. Carroll-Tawhana Street Sewer: The sum of £l5O has been allotted as the Council’s share of the total cost. Fifty pounds extra has been provided for metal chips. Cost of loan proposals £IOO, and charging orders regarding native rates £3O, have also been allowed. The loan and abbatoir items have been increased by a total of £SOO additional sinking fund on the conversion loan. The restoration of the balance of the salaries and wages reduction and the increase in the Town Clerk’s salary have also been provided for. The cost of the proposed housing survey has not been taken into account. In the streets allocation of £1685, £I2BO was to be paid for labour, £IOO towards truck expenses, £3O for roller, £SO for sundry material, £IOO for shingle, £25 for horse and cart, and £l5O for chips. Reimbursements would be about £SO. Relaying of Water Main. The Mayor stated that at the area near Mr. Gillanders’ home at Waitete, the main Borough pipeline ran under the County road, and had broken twice lately—last time much of the road had been washed away. He had gone over the ground on Friday with representatives of the County. He had pointed out that the pipes would be taken up in six months’ time, but the County Council were afraid of serious damage during the winter, in which case the cost to the Borough* would be very considerable. The Engineer said. that the total cost of laying new pipes on the ground below the road would be £l5O, but these pipes would be used in the major waterworks scheme. Councillors stressed that the matter should be tackled immediately, and the Works Committee were given power to act. Grants to Band. A letter from Cr. Mackersey was received urging that the present annual subsidy to the Municipal Band be' increased from £25 to £SO. As about £6O had now been collected for the Band uniform fund, and the sum required was £l5O, Cr. Mackersey urged that if the Band should raise £45 more for the fund, the Council should subsidise this sum pound for pound to make up the sum required. Cr. Douglas supported Cr. Mackersey’s suggestion, saying that if the Band was short of funds all the time it was inevitable there should be a lack of enthusiasm. The Mayor agreed that Te Kuiti had not been over-liberal with its Band, and quoted the figures granted by the Boroughs of Taumarunui and Te Awamutu to their bands to support this. The public had paid about £SOO for the instruments, and all the Council had done was to give a yearly subsidy of £25. Cr. Isaac said that if the Band pulled together to raise the £45, the i Council could very well support them by subsidising it pound for pound. He moved that the subsidy be increased from £25 to £SO, and that £45 be granted on the lines suggested. . On Cr. Douglas’s suggestion it was decided to add to the motion that the Band be required to submit an annual balance sheet to the Council, and also a monthly report of the Band’s activities. The motion was carried. A further suggestion by Cr. Douglas that the Council, to show their interest in the Band, should attend the practice this day week, was also followed. The Engineer said that the Borough truck should be replaced at the earliest possible opportunity. On the motion of Cr. Low, seconded by Cr. Isaac, the estimates were adopted, subject to the above amendments.