NO INCREASE IN COUNTY RATES

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 121, 23 May 1940, Page 4

NO INCREASE IN COUNTY RATES

Estimates for Coming Year CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO COUNCIL MEETING “The estimates do not call for much comment,” said Mr. M. o. Grainger, chairman, following the presentation of his annual report to yesterday’s meeting of the Woodviile County Council, “but it is pleasing to note that while other local bodies are raising their rates, the Woodville County rates will not be increased during the coming year.” The chairman’s report continued that the total receipts from all sources were £31,(502 17s 9d, while the total expenditure was £11,919 2s Id. Outstandingrates and rents at March 31 were £370 9s 7d, as against £346 4s on 31-3-39. Riding Account. “The ridings are all in a very satis factory state and the sum of £4244 19s 6d was expended on their maintenance during tho year. Considering the heavy traffic on the riding roads, it is doubtful whether any county can show a higher standard of maintenance. County Teams. “The total cost of maintenance of the toams during the year amounted to £437 I7s lid; wages being £229, shoeing and repairs £6O 18s 9d, oats, chaff, grazing, etc. £2lO 18s 3d. 4119 yards of tnctal were carted and other work such as widening, carting, groyno work, etc., was carried out. Bridges and Culverts. “A large amount of maintenance work has been done during the year. The policy of replacing old wooden culverts in concrete is being steadily carried out. Bridges and Culverts. “A large amount of maintenance work has been done during the year. The policy of replacing old wooden culverts in concrete is being steadily carried out. Machinery. “The machinery is in excellent order and the finance committee have noted with pleasure that the cost of repairs for a whole year to such a large plant only amounted to £342 2s 7cL Estimates, 1940-41. RECEIPTS * County fund account, Bank N.Z. 3301 Machinery working * 1600 Est. rates and rents •• .. .. 370 Highways 100 Highways .. .. 2115 Subsidy on rates .. •• ,• .. 1100 Rents .. 300 Heavy traffic and drivers’ fees . 719 Refunds petrol 250 General rate 4436 Bridges subsidy, Government grants, etc 800 £15,093 EXPENDITURE Purchase materials 2300 Salaries and travelling .. .. .. 1180 Tel., 6tamps, etc 86 Dog tax rates, holiday pay .... 353 Audit, legal, health, printing, etc .. .. 36C. Interest and sinking funds •• .. 1238 Highways 2821 Woodville Riding .. 1508 Manga-Atua Riding . • 1325 Kumeroa Riding 961 Maharahara Riding .. .. .. 1050 Fairbrother’s bridge 700 Oringi Road deviation 600 Pahatuki Track and sealing McLean Street 630 £15,091 Conclusion. “Despite shorter hours, higher wages, increasing cost of material, and the payment of a large portion of the hospital levy out of the general account, the financial position of the council is still very sound. As instancing the difficulty under which tho county is working, it may be mentioned that heavy wire for groyne netting is not only high in price, but at present is absolutely unprocurable. This is very serious in a county like Woodville. Further, bridge timber which has been on order for eight months has not yet materialised. Considering the number of local bodies who have been forced to raise their rates, or negotiate loans to get work done, it is satisfactory to note that there is little chance of either loans or rates being raised during the present council’s term of office. In fact, in this connection it is interesting to note that loan No. 17, amounting to £251 39s lid, has now been repaid. Councillors expressed satisfaction with the report which was adopted and the estimates which were approved.