THE ESTIMATES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 19 June 1931, Page 4

THE ESTIMATES

CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL REDUCTION IN GENERAL RATE 'The City Council last evening discussed from 7.15 to well after midnight the estimates for the current year and the rate necessary to be struck. A good deal of time was taken up in considering the question of a “cut” in salaries and wages (reported elsewhere in this issue); after which the various items wore taken seriatim. A number were amended, and eventually the list ns amended was agreed to. The total estimated expenditure was set down at £24,000; and a general rate of Is Old in the £, producing £24,010 revenue, was struck. Last lour the general rate was Is Hid, so a reduction of 2d was made. The special rate was fixed at Is fid in the £, the iame as last year. It was also resolved to make a rebate of 2i per cent, on all rates paid within JO days of the due date.

FIRE PREVENTION Referring to lire prevention Councillor Huggins said he had met members of the Fire Brigade on the previous evening, and after discussion the minimum requirements for the year were set down at £298 10s. Last year £225 was expended, and in the previous year £375. Other items, including insurance, etc., brought the total up to £SOO. The brigade was also unanimous that some means of conveyance should he provided for the captain, and Councillor • Huggins suggested that £IOO should he set aside for the purchase of a motor car, and if this was agreed to the total sum under the heading would be £OOO. Ho recommended that this sum be placed on the estimates. Councillor Huggins added that the brigade was in a very efficient state. In proportion to population, Nelson’s expenditure on lire prevention was less than half it was in . Wellington, He moved that £OOO be put on the estimates.

The motion was carried. PROVISION FOR UNEMPLOYMENT After some discussion it was resolved to jilace a sum of £1123 on the esti:mates to provide for unemployment. In answer to the Mayor) the City Engineer said that after deducting all refunds £lsll 15s fid lmd, been expended on unemployment during the last six months.