LEVYING OF RATES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 9

LEVYING OF RATES

IN POHANtHNA COUNTY. PROPOSAL FOR INCREASE. Commenting that heavier expenditure than had l>een anticipated would have > be faced this year, Cr O. McKenzie, at the meeting of the Pohangina County Council on Saturday, advanced the suggestion that there should lie an increase in the general rate of id in the £ which the council had intended to levy. Cr McKenzie said that ho had given the matter some consideration, and thought the rate should be altered before it was confirmed. Wage increases would cost the council over £IOOO, and there was the prospect of expenditure on the contemplated Church Hill and Raumai deviations having to be faced. There was no extra provision for this. In addition, the purchase of a now grader had to he financed.

Cr W. Howell said there was provision for the latter item in the plant account. He realised, however, that there might be a shortage of money under the council’s budget for this year, but considered it would be preferable to work on a small overdraft. There was an allowance of £350 on this year’s estimates for contingencies. Cr McKenzie said the council’s credit balance had been substantially reduced, and it would lie better to increase the rates this year than to double them next year. The county clerk (Mr A. E. Orgias) stated that the council, on its present budget, would “be sailing very close to the wind,” especially if expenditure were undertaken on the Church Hill deviation.

The chairman (Cr S. J. Strahan) commented that last year had been a heavy one for expense, and a record period so far as flood damage and slips were concerned.

Notice of motion was given by Cr McKenzie to rescind the resolution passed by the council expressing its intention to levy a general rate of Jd in the £. Ho said he considered it should be id.

It was decided that the resolution should be dealt with at a special meeting this month, when the whole question of rating will be reopened. The question of the Church Hill deviation is to be discussed at the same meeting.