THE ESTIMATES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 141, 19 May 1925, Page 5

THE ESTIMATES

LOAN POLLS TO BE TAKEN.

GENERAL RATE INCREASED. The estimates in connection with borough works for the present year were considered at the meeting of tho Borough Council lost night when it was deoided, after a disoussion, to take polls for a loan of £33,500 in connection with the water supply, and for a loan of £17,000 for sewerage. Of the first amount £23,500 would be applied to reticulation (particularly in regard to increasing the water pressure) and £IO,OOO for the construction of a further small dam which would facilitate the work of cleaning the reservoir. Tho engineer stated that that dam would not be a needless work but would remain as a permanent asset to the waterworks scheme. The sanitary rate was increased by 2s 6d in consequence of the objection of ratepayers to oarry rubbish tins to the front gate of their residences.

The general rate, which last year was reduced from 2d to lid was again increased to 2d, the special and other rates remaining as at present. THE NEW FIRE STATION.

When it was mentioned that tho council was to bo saddled with a further £IOOO this year in connection with tho new fire station and improvements and additions to equipment and furniture, Cr. Eliott voiced a protest. He did not see, he said, why such bodies as the Borough Council should be obliged to contribute so largely to 6uch works virtually without having an opportunity to protest. Cr. Graham, who is a member of the Fire Board, said that it was 17 years since tho old fire station was built and that it had not been designed with a view to the future. At present (he brigade had a fine staff of single men but there would be complications in the matter of quarters if in the future they had to engage married men. The new station and equipment were absolutely necessary, he said, hut the Fire Board had not yet had a chance to fully consider the estimates. The scheme included an item of about. £2OOO for electric fire alarms and furnishings, while the amount of the loan would be £19,650. This also included the cost of a new fire engine, which, however, might not yet be decided upon. It was hoped to take the poll about June and the Borough Council would be called upon to pay half the usual charges on it. They had to bear in .mind the growth of the town and the need for an adequate fire fighting force, said Cr. Graham. “There is nothing extravagant about it and we must look to the future,” he added. Cr. Eliott moved that the council protest to the Firo Board against the large expenditure without the farmer body being fully informed of how it was made up and without being supplied with all the figures concerning it. Cr. McLeavey seconded the motion. The Mayor mentioned that there were three council representatives on the Fire Board. It was remarked by Cr. Graham that the Government contributed only a very small amount. . Cr. Eliott said that tho council should have a chance of expressing its opinion before tho board finally arranged its estimates.

Tile motion was carried. The Mayor stated that it was not desired to be continually going to the ratepayers for loans but to meet expenditure as far as possible out of revenue and thereforo it was necessary to increase the rate. The newspapers could not be expected, ho said, to publish columns about matters hearing on the estimates but he would be pleased to furnish any information desired to individual ratepayers. REASON FOR INCREASE.

The town clerk (Mr J. R. Hardie) when approached by a “Standard” reporter this morning for some further details of the increase in the general rate said that the advance from Ijd to 2d would mean an increase in the total sum to be collected of about £4500, which had been saved to ratepayers when the reduction of a half-penny had been made last year. So far as the individual ratepayer Wa3 concerned Ins rates this year would be increased by the amount of £d in the £1 on the unimproved value of his holding plus 2s 6d per annum sanitary rate for each house property. The increase in the general rate, said Mr Hardie, was 'argely accounted for by tho necessity for doing the following works out of revenue: —Erection of new central store £1600; tarring and sanding footways £ISOO ; contribution to Fire Board’s work £1100; further payment for purchase of old Campbell Street School site £334.