Kairanga County Estimates

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 121, 23 May 1940, Page 10

Kairanga County Estimates

OR. W. R. HOPCROFT RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN At the annual meeting of the Kairanga County Council yesterday, Cr. W. It. Hopcroft was re-elected chairTbo council's representative on the District Highways Council will be Cr. D. Collis.

Cr. Hopcroft presented a comprehensive report on the work carried out during the year, iu which he stated that the width of higuways had been increased and as years went by the robe wal of bridges and culverts became more evident. The number of men employed under subsidised schemes had remained the same, and most of the work had been of a permanent nature. The major works carried out with this labour had consisted in road widening, improving visibility of hill country roads, re-alignment and grado easement, road drainage and eradication of noxious weeds. The rainfall on the whole (except for the months of August and September) had been more normal than in previous years and less maintenance metal had been used in comparison with the preceding three years. This had been partly due to the progressive sealing potency carried out each year. Although the fast car traffic caused excessive upkeep on metalled roads, he was convinced that heavy

speed lorries caused the major part of the damage, especially factory milk lorries. The Government was also a contributing factor oecause of the violation of regulations in loading and speed of trucks employed by the P.W.D. on Government jobs.

Although several large contracts and works were completed out of rates and reserve plant funds, all accounts were in a very good financial condition. The linancing of No. 60 Highway was satisfactorily completed and the council have met all accounts in connection with this undertaking. As mentioned in previous years, the proportion of raising a bridge loan should be entertained ana the necessary machinery net iu motion as the council have several commitments iu the near future iu regard to Rangiotu bridge and Oroua | river bridge, as well as internal I bridges. It was pleasing to sec all ridings wore able to show a credit balance at the end Of the year alj though employment of subsidised labour had resulted in greater County expenditure. The building statistics revealed an increased activity in this direction, 29 buildings having been erected at a cost of £31,585, the foes amounting to £SO 15s. The Estimates. The estimated receipts iu the general account were set down at £2651 8s Id of which licenses were estimated to produce £673 12j, rents £B3 and Sunday receipts £155. The transfers from the riding accounts were: Taonui £865, Mangaone £512, Pitzhcrbert £365 16s Id. In respect of revenue from licenses dog fees were put down at £230 and motor-drivers' fees at £266. On the expenditure side office expenses were set down at £929 3s 4d, salaries £IO4O 4s, subscriptions £l2 11s, grants £4O, miscellaneous £403 10s (employers’ liability insurance absorbed £175 of this amount), general contingency £IOO and bridge maintenance £129. The major items in office expenditure were £2OO for rent of office, £250 allowance for engineer’s car and £IOO chairman’s honorarium. Taonui Riding. Receipts: Keuts £ll7, Government subsidy on general rates £7lO, arrears of rates 40, heavy traffic fees £4OO, refunds from Main Highways Board £667 10s, City Council contribution to James' Line £IBB, credit balance at March 31, 1940 £993 2s Id, proposed rate £2BBO. Expenditure: New works 1295 12s Id, maintenance of main highways £7lO, maintenance of riding roads, bridges, plant, etc. £2426, metal contracts, subsidised labour, etc., 310, contingencies £l5O, second annual charge re. No. 60 Highway loan £248. Mangaone Riding. Receipts: Rents £l3O, arrears of rates £3O, Government subsidy on rates £520. heavy traffic fees £4OO, refunds from Highways Board £1965, City Council contribution to James' Line £ll2, credit balance March 31 £1295 5s 9d, rate levy £2119. Expenditure: New w’orks £364 15s 9d, maintenance of main highways £2620, maintenance of riding roads, bridges, etc. £2495, metal contracts, subsidised labour, etc. £329 10s, contingencies £IOO, animal charge re. No. 60 Highway loan £147. Fitzherbert Riding. Receipts; Rents £166 Bs, arrears of rates £2O, Government subsidy on general rates £6OO, heavy traffic fees £4OO, bridge grant from P.W.D. £2lO, refund from Highways Board £360, credit balance March 31 £791 16s Id, rate levy £2422.

Expenditure: New works £1127 7s 9d, maintenance of main highway £4BO, maintenance of riding roads, bridges, etc. £2432, subsidised labour, royalties, etc. £360, contingencies £IOO, annual

chargo re. No. 60 highway £lO5. In respect of the decision to apply to tho Loans Board for sanction to raise a loan under the Rural Housing Act 1939, the sum was fixed at £IO,OOO. The Highways Board advised that I only urgent works would be carried out Linton Domain Board. Ihe council subsequently met as- the

Linton Domain Board and Cr. Jos. Batchelar was elected chairman. The balance-sheet showed cash in bank £154 13s sd.