County Balance Sheet.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 50, 17 July 1906, Page 5

County Balance Sheet.

IP* (to not identify ourselves with opinions expressed by correspondents.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—By request I have analysed the County Balance-sheet (as published in a late “ Age ”) lor 1904-05 with the curious result* as under. Although I ain informed that the ratepayers generally do not understand it, I find no difficulty, and think it a credit to the Treasurer for putting so much into such a small space. He is in no way responsible for nearly the whole County revenue going in expenses, which is shown as follows :—For the year ending 31st March, 1904-05, the regular County receipts (leaving actual balance on hand, refunds, thirds and Government grants to simplify matters) amounted to £1,471 6/4 for that year, but to show the true annual incomes it will be necessary to deduct £387 5/2 of areas for former years, thus leaving the actual ordinary general County fund received £1,084 1/2, from which is to be deducted the total actual annual expenses amounting to the nice little sum of £9BB 0/3, leaving a balance for expenditure on roads, bridges and culverts over the whole County of £96 0/11. But from this should tie deducted a receipt of £3l 4/- from special Charitable Aid rate, which is thought to have been handed over to the Hospital Building Fund and is non-recurring. This gives a total actual balance for expenditure of £64 16/11. It would be worth while knowing if there is another county in New Zealand which spends nearly all its internal revenue in expenses. I would ask all ratepayers if they are justified in increasing such expenses in any way, or if they do, where is the money to come from? Further comment is superfluous on my part. I am, however, Avilling to give any further information in my power if desired, and at present refrain from deeper analysis. I may add that I have left out the Government subsidy on rates amounting to £133 7/-, which might be added to the above but that it is not an actual ratepayer’s contribution, so not necessary to show, to get a fair and easily understood comparative result or clearly show how rates and licenses go. The subject which nearly everyone has been enquiring about for years.—Your most obedient servant LOCKSLEY. Kaitaia, July sth, 1906. enclose a table showing how the foregoing conclusion is arrived at, in order to show the Editor that the figures given are correct. Analysis of Mangonui County Balancesheet, 31st March, 1906, showing annual County receipts and expenditure with reference to the expense of administration:— EXPENDITURE. £ s d

Anyone can easily understand above,*as it is simplified for that purpose. Government subsidy not taken into account, as it is not paid by ratepayers or for licenses, and amounts to £133 7/-.

Commission on Kates .. 38 19 9 Salaries .. 86 10 0 Office Expenses .. .. 60 8 11

Gum Licensing Expenses .. 52 14 3 Vehicle Licensing Expenses 28 12 7 Dog Registration Expenses .. 84 4 6 Advertising and Printing 14 8 0 Legal Expenses .. 3 13 0 Election Ejmenses .. 6 15 0 Travelling Expenses of Councillors.. 50 10 0 Valuation Expenses 11 14 6 Charitable Aid Disbursed .. .. 341 12 0 Office Repairs 28 0 0 Cheque Book 10 3 Bank Charges for Keeping Accounts 10 0 Fire Insurance 7 9 Interest on Overdraft 45 9 9 Victoria Valley Telephone.. .. 40 0 0 Travelling Expenses Ct. Powell 15 0 0 Ifangonui Wharf Expenses 66 2 1 Mangonui Wharf Salaries and Wages 61 7 11 Total £988 0 3 RECEIPTS. £ s d Rates 1904-05 158 2 6 Bates Previous Years 387 5 2 Publicans’ Licenses 120 0 0 Publicans’Transfer Fees.. 6 0 0 Packet licenses .. 30 0 0 Gum Licenses .. .. 329 9 3 Dog Licenses 40 17 6 Vehicle Licenses.. 236 18 0 Slaughterhouse Licenses .. 2 0 0 Auctioneers’ Licenses 5 0 0 Fees and Fines .. .. .. 2 12 0 Rent of Council Chambers 4 0 0 Wharfage 117 18 0 Separate Charitable Aid Rate 31 4 0 Total £1471 6 4 Deduct Arreas of Former Years 387 5 2 Actual Receipts due for 1904-05 .. 1084 1 2 Total Expenditure 988 0 3 Balance left for Roads and Bridges 96 011 Deduct Special Rate 31 4 0 for Roads, Bridges and Culverts 64 16 11