CIVIC ADMINISTRATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 22 April 1938, Page 6

CIVIC ADMINISTRATION.

A year of steady progress is revealed in the Town Clerk’s comprehensive report presented to the City Council last evening, and generally the administration must be congratulated on the discharge of its duties in its period of office. The general account has a credit balance, which has reduced the debit shown at the, beginning of the past financial year to £2,343, and during the twelve months substantial expenditures have been made in the direction of relief works, the purchase of the Terrace End Bowling Club as a civic amenity, stormwater drainage, and as a transfer to the reserves account, while a special item was the cost of the Jubilee celebrations, £572. The effect of the Government legislation in increased costs is shown in both the electricity and the gas accounts, but each reveals a very fair state. Both are expanding services and it is most satisfactory to find that the latter is making good progress, being able to meet the charges for sinking fund, though the capital appropriations leave this account with a debit. The municipal transit service has been increasingly patronised, 30,300 more passengers being carried in the past twelve months than in the previous period, and the profit has been correspondingly increased, the nett result being a credit of £3OO against a debit in 1936-37. During the year the public debt was reduced by £17,000 and a further sum of £IB,OOO is to be liquidated in June next. At the same time a loan of £IO,OOO has been authorised for sewerage works, so that the movement of the debt is not very materially altered. The Councii has sinking funds of £68,100 invested with the Public Trustee against future repayment of loans, and depreciation amounting to £62,150 with the same office on both the j?as and electrical undertakings. The municipality is a very extensive one, but the City Council and its executive officers have continued their sound policy of steady progress. Of particular interest is the increasing number of dustless roads, nearly two-thirds of the streets having been bituminised or far-sealed. It will be hoped the time is not far distant when this work will have been com pleted.