Hokianga County In Serious Plight

Northern Advocate, 11 August 1938, Page 3

Hokianga County In Serious Plight

I Unless funds are urgently acquired, the Hokianga County Council may find itself in serious financial difficulties. Reporting to the council at its meeting this week, the treasurer, Mr H. Chappell, drew attention to the seriousness of the county's position and the need for funds to meet immedi- : ate commitments. j “Regarding expenditure on the ! county fund I have to draw your attention to the unsatisfactory position jof this account for the next two | months’ expenditure must be re- | duced to the minimum or substantially greater than it is today,” he said, j “On September 30 next, some £3264 3/10 for interest and principal on loans, second instalment hospital levy, £BBS, interest on overdraft, £2BO, and wages for permanent employees have to be met, and unless some reduction is m'ade I can see financial difficulties ahead.

“In September, a certain amount of rates will be forthcoming to help out with these payments, but to hold the present position at least £4500 is required. The amount of £3OOO estimated to be collected in rates in this month will not offset these commitments.”

In a statement on the county’s finances the treasurer revealed that the county fund account expenditure to August 8 had been £9221 16/7, from which receipts totalling £5307 9/3 were to be deducted. This left a balance of £3914 7/4% which, added to the debit balance at March 31, 1938, of £9130 13/ made a total debit balance to date of £13,055 10/4. Sundry creditors as at August 8 included wages to council employees for July (£569), hospital levy (£885), and miscellaneous (£915), a total of £2369.

Sundry debtors at the same date included the Treasury (£930), the Bay of Islands County (£307 10/), the hospital board (£574 6/6), and miscellaneous (£620), making 'a total of £2432.