MANAWATU DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1919. BOROUGH FINANCES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14184, 16 April 1919, Page 4

MANAWATU DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1919. BOROUGH FINANCES.

The borough finances are admittedly not in a satisfactory condition. This is not at all surprising under the circumstances. It will probably characterise the administration of many boroughs throughout New Zealand. For one thing tiro attention of the officials both honorary and stipendiary has been diverted from the business in hand by a multiplicity of calls and duties, and for another the cost of material and labour has materially increased. The,, town clerk’s report shows that whereas on April Ist, 1918, the debit balance was £9508, at the close of the year it had risen to £13,518, although the estimated receipts (£20,003) were exceeded by £IOO9. This, in connection with the circumstance that (lie borough overdraft has now assumed the formidable figure of over £IO,OOO, is calculated to make some of ihe ratepayers put on their considering cups. The opera house account shows a debit of £394, the sanitary account of £723, the reserves account of £1304, and tlie abattoirs of no less than £3202. The Gas Department showing a credit of £5803, and the waterworks a credit of £921 have redeemed to some small extent what would have boon a very bad showing indeed. It may be; eontended with some show of justice that the gas consumers are being asked to shoulder an excessive amount of the burden. The town clerk indicates an

increase in the general rates. This is inevitable, and would be shouldered by iho ratepayers with comparative cheerfulness, \ve are sure, if they wore satislied that ihe affairs of the borough would be more efficiently and more eeonom ieally administered during tlie coming year than in those which have immediately preceded it. There is talk of drastic retrenchment, but what is wanted, apparently, is a more caretul and intimate control on the expenditure side. There is evidence of a lack of plan and system in connection with local borough undertakings. This can only bo remedied by placing the rospou-

sibility definitely on the shoulders of the executive officers. The ratepayers must accept their share of responsibility for the unsatisfactory state of things disclosed. They arc allowing the coming elections to go by default. This means that they arc not concerned to strengthen the council at a time when they are losing the services of several of their most experienced and conscientious administrators, and at a time when the Mayor has accepted responsibilities which may prevent him from giving intimate attention to borough affairs. The outlook is not reassuring.