WILL HARBOUR BOARD RATE BE COLLECTED?

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6944, 25 June 1929, Page 6

WILL HARBOUR BOARD RATE BE COLLECTED?

FINANCES DISCUSSED. Tlic rate recently struck by the Poxton Harbour board came in lor an amount of discussion at the monthly meeting of that body yesterday. At the conclusion of the meeting, the secretary asked the board’s authority to increase the bank overdraft from £IOOO to £ISOO, stating that the present authorised limit had already been exceeded. Ho explained that tho unauthorised excess had been incurred through a payment of sinking fund and interest to the Public Trustee. Ha had paid the amount on duo date to save linal interest. Mr. A. J. Kellow objected to the request, maintaining that the board had not the necessary assets required by law to permit it increasing its overdraught. The board had struck a rate, and it was its duty to collect it. Tho overdraft was being increased to avoid collecting the rate. Messrs Blenkkorn and Barber informed tho meeting that the local bodies which they represented had made provision for payment of the levy.

Mr. Nash moved that the overdraft be increased. The rate would bo collected in two or three months, he said. Both Mr. Nash and Mrs. Linklater denied that the board was tryfrg to avoid collecting the rate. The motion, on being put to the meeting, was carried with two dissentients. The financial statement presented to the meeting disclosed that receipts since October 1028 to date totalled £IOO4 4s sd. The chief items were: Wharfage in, £515 2s 4d; wharfage out, £O4 10s 6d; and rents, £517 2s Bd. Expenditure for the same period included salaries, £425 19s Bd, handling and commission, £IOB (is 5d and balance at the beginning of the period, £730 10s 3d.

In speaking on the board’s iinancial position, Mr. Kellow stated that providing all outstanding rents and dues came to hand the board would still be £llsO short even before the two boats started trading to tho port. The speaker maintained that the board should collect, the rate and start afresh, lie accordingly moved that all contributing local bodies be advised that the rate was payable by July 31. Mr. Nash stated that as a result of striking the rate, board members were not liable for the overdraft. Ho must oppose Mr. Kellow’s resolution in face of the resolution forwarded to local bodies stating that though a rate had beeE struck there was no immediate prospect of it being collected. Mr. Perreau stated that he would support the motion if it were amended to read September 30. Mr. Nash: “I object to the motion. It puts the board in a most ridiculous position.’ ’ On being put, the motion was lost ou a show of hands.