£9,200 To Spend On Ridings

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1947, Page 9

£9,200 To Spend On Ridings

A revenue of £44,799 was anticipated by the Whangarei County Council today in adopting its estimates of receipts and expenditure for the current financial year.

Riding revenue was estimated at £32,433 as follows:—Hikurangi, £2739; Kiripaka, £2352; Maunu, £4327; Maungakahia, £3327; Mar.gapai, £3986; Maungakaramea, £2459; Manaia, £3838; Wairua, £3112; Otonga. £2604; Waipu. £4689. Government subsidies on general rates of £2500 and miscellaneous revenue from fees of £9866 brought the total.estimated income to £44,799. General expenditure was estimated at £35,563. Principal items were:—Hospital levy, £10.280; county share of main highways expenditure, £4560; bridge renewal on main highway, £2438; machinery maintenance and running costs. £6960; additions to plant, £1260; salaries, £1615.

The balance of £9230 was proposed to be transferred to riding accounts as follows:—Hikurangi. £777; Kiripaka, £345; Maunu, £489; Maungakahia. £1714; Mangapai, £605; Maungakaramea, £552; Manaia, £1815; Wairua. £888: Otonga, £760; Waipu. £I2BB. Provision was made for increased expenditure on highways and plant to arrest deterioration and return highways to a reasonable standard. MOTOR TAXATION A memorandum to the estimates said it was obvious in certain ridings that the rates were still insufficient to maintain riding roads and certainly not sufficient to lift Government grants unless provided on a liberal scale. < Ridings generally had reached the stage where credit balances maintain-

ed during many years had been fully expended or greatly reduced. Also credits in loan interest accounts had been expended and additional provision wbuld have to be made in the future failing assistance in other directions. Despite a reduction in hospital levy and an increase in rates, after providing for the general expenditure of the county, an additional £6BO only had been carried to the ridings (last year £8556, this year £9236 >. The various items in the estimates had been carefully combed and it is considered absolutely necessary that they be provided for.

The utilisation of motor taxation for roading purposes was the answer to the problem facing the council, and there should be no let up in the fight to obtain assistance in this direction. Fair use of a fail - tax was required, in fairness to road users and roading authorities. The council should use every endeavour to stop the ,use of motor taxation for purposes other than roading. GENERAL FUND IN DEBIT The general fund of the council is in debit by £3426. This was shown in a report tabled by the clerk (Mr G. H. Lloyd t. Expenditure on highways for the financial year to date amounted to £1721 of which the Main Highway Board's share was £1286 and the council’s share £435. Expenditure on general bridges amounted to date to £793. Riding balances were:—Hikurangi. £828; Kiripaka, £544; Maunu, £790; Mangakahia, £325; Mangapai, £274; Maungakaramea. £324; Manaia, £9; Wairua, £350; Otonga, £373; and Waipu, £799. The total credit amounted to £4600.

Flood damage grants, on a £ for £ basis, amounting to £IOBO, remained for expenditure. Cr J. Scott-Davidson commended the chairman on his report. Tire report was adopted.