FEILDING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 270, 14 October 1932, Page 8

FEILDING

Tho Feilding Borough Council held its monthly meeting last night, the Mayor (Mr C. E. Taylor) presiding. Also present were Crs J. u. Kilvington, D. Pryde, A. C. McCorkindalo, D. C. Cullinnne, T. Collins, E. Fair and A. H. Maguire. CORRESPONDENCE.

From the Commissioner of Transport, acknowledging receipt of tho council s comments regarding the new motor vohiule regulations and stating that there was a provision in the Act tor local bodies themselves to cnforco the painting white of mudguards or bicycles.—The Mayor stated that the council had been aware of this lact before it wrote—what was wanted was that the Act. make it compulsory, and he moved that the council reply to the commissioner to this enect. Tho Mayor’s motion was agreed to. From‘tho Commissioner or Unemployment, stating that it had been decided to take over the workers compensation insurance for rohef workers ns from October I.—The Mayor explained that the decision was the result of representations made to the Unemployment Board by the local bodies of New Zealand and now the whole matter of relief workers insurance was off local body hands. In reply to Cr Fair,* the Mayor stated that the council had to meet one case of a relief worker claiming compensation for an injury. ... , , The Municipal Association forwarded letters regarding suggestions mado m connection with hospital and chaptable aid rates nnd also formal notice concerning remits for tho 1933 conference, tho letters being received.—Referring to the latter letter, tho Major explained that the council would follow its usual procedure and accopt remits from any councillor who had subjects to bring forward. The engineer was instructed to prepare a report of the cost of renovating tho seating accommodation at tho baths. BOROUGH FINANCES. Giving a review of the treasurer s statement for the lialf-j’ear, the Mayor said it would bo remembered that when the council assessed the estimates for the current year the unimproved value of the borough was taken at £480,000, but as a matter of fact at the time tho rates wero mnde the valuation was slightly over £490,C00 and to meet the reductions expected as the result of tho revaluations a drop of over £II,OOO in tho unimproved valuation was allowed. The results of the revaluations had now come to hand and they showed that instead of levying rates to the amount of about £15,000, the council would now receive about £l2B less than was estimated. Comparing the two figures, last year against the current year, Mr Tnylor said the council’s revenue would be about £2280 less during the current period. Dealing with the £2280 reduction, the Mayor explained that this sum was made up of approximately £1250 in a general reduction of rates which the wholo of the ratepayers enjoyed, and £IO3O reduction consequent upon tho revaluation and offering to the Crown of properties. Referring to the financial position of the borough, tho Mayor found it pleasing to noto that the net debit balance was £2964, ns against £3330 last year, a reduction of about £366. This was accounted for nininlv by the retention of the 22J exchange on the loan money payable in Sydney. The matter of this exchange was at present the subject of a legal discussion by tho Supreme Court in Sydney*. It would also bo remembered, Mr Taylor went on, that the council had hoped to end the year with a credit of £SOO in the general account, and if it did that it was a matter for congratulation. Mr Tnylor went on to itemise the reductions that had been shown in the receipts for the half year, and felt that the council’s finances were such that it would not take a very great turn of the tide to improve the position and lean? the council in credit at the end of the year. To ensure this being brought nbont, Mr Tnylor urged the need for great care by the council in its administration. If the council obtained the benefit of the legal battle at present being fought in Sydney regarding tjie 22$ per cent exchange, it would be loft with about £7OO credit, which next year would become £I4OO. It was the Mayor’s great desire to leave the incoming council with the linppy prospect of being able to keep up the same low rate standard the present council had set it, so that the ratepayers would get the benefit. However, if the council did not got the benefit of the exchange. Mr Tnylor still thought it would end up on the right side of the ledger. The Mayor explained a few minor items of expenditure to the councillors, the report then being adopted.