THE RECEPTION SURPLUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11690, 27 June 1901, Page 4

THE RECEPTION SURPLUS.

It is nob to be supposed that the harmony which has prevailed in Auckland while preparing for the Royal visit will be marred by any unpleasant disagreement over the winding-up of the accounts. Owing to its very excellent and creditable management, and also owing to the praiseworthy manner in which private companies, firms and individuals came forward to assist in the general decoration and illumination, our Reception Committee has won the New Zealand laurels at a moderate cost. lb is even left with a considerable, surplus—if it stands on the letter of the bond and obtains from the City Council a third of the total amount subscribed. Were there a deficit there could be no dispute ; it would be a matter of civic honour to make a deficit good and it would be made good. But there being a surplus, it may become a bone of contention, and a bone which happens to be in the possession of the Auckland City Council. The Reception Committee has very wisely not come to any decision in the matter, waiting formal notification from the City Council as to whether or not it intends to pay the full third. Under the circumstances, it is tolerably certain that the Council will refuse to swell any surplus, on the grounds that it understood that the whole Fund would be expended in the Royal reception, that it was appealed to on the ground that the reception was a civic matter and that private liberality would not be sufficient without public assistance and that in any case it will secure no legal immunity in voting money which may be used for some other purpose. This is a very strong .case and will certainly be considerately treated by the Committee, which cannot fail to realise that a difference exists between the subscription of a private individual and the subsidy of a public body. At the same time, it goes without saying that the corporation of the leading city of the colony would not wish to be accused of securing even a nominal advantage over its country brethren and would place itself and them upon the same basis in any claim it may have upon the nominal surplus.