DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13192, 1 June 1906, Page 6

DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

THE HATES FOR THE YEAR. A special meeting of the Ucvonport Borough Council was held iast evening 10 consider the estimates and rales for the year. There were 'present: The Mayor (Mr. E. W. Alison, M:H.R.). and Messrs. V.'V. Murdoch. R. Logan, jun., E. I*. Ford, W. Handler, W. U. Timewcli, D. W. McLean, E. J. Osborne, and J. B. Graham. The report of the Finance Committee, as finally amended, showed that the receipts for 1905-b totalled £2673, of which £1990 was from rates and £683 for fees, it was estimated that fo, the ensuing year £3694 would be collected, of which £3159 would represent rates, a.ud £535 fees. The principal items in rates would he: General rates. £2357; hospital and charitable aid, £380; lighting rate, £221, and rents, £14. In fees £150 would be for publicans' and packet licenses, £140 transfer water fees, and £70 from dog registration. There was a debit balance, for 1905-6 of £201. The, estimated receipts for (he. coming year would be. an increase, over last year of £1021. The estimated expenditure for the year was £3702, or £8 more than the estimated receipts. The principal items were: £400 each for workmen, carting, and tar for streets; £349 for hospital and charitable aid rate; £221 for lighting; £180 for fire brigade; £100 bank interest, and £130 extension of drainage. There was an. increase for the ensuing year in expenditure of £827.. Estimates were submitted for repairing, metalling, and forming.2o roads or streets. A sum of £100 was- provided for a water cart, £130 fo. two horses, rait, and harness, and £50 for a horse and light cart and harness. Among the improvemerits provided for is the widening by 4ft where necessary, and metalling, 'shelling and roiling of King Edward Parade. The estimates weie approved. On the Council considering the striking of the rates, Mr. Timewell moved, "That the general rate should be ljd in the £ and a special rate of:sd struck for a per' manent work account."' The Mayor rule' this motion out of order, under the Municipal Corporations Act. Mr Logan suggested that the general rate should be 2d, so that the work of.erecting a permanent seawall opposite the Esplanade Hotel could be proceeded with. The Mayor moved, "That the general rate he I'd m the £ cm the unimproved value " He explained this was a slight increase, and would produce £1033 more than the amount raised last, year ■ * ■■ Mr. cl ; em: We/caifdo'witli'ii all!"'' Mr, (xrahuni- seconded tlie motion,' . Mr. lord; What provision is being made lor reducing our overdraft.. - : _ Iho Mayor: It must be clear that it is impossible to clear off the overdraft upon a general rate; Money must lie borrowed for that purpose, and proposals would have to be submitted to the ratepayers Mr Timewell declared that lgd in the £ would not be sufficient to can-, 'on,with He moved an amendment that the rate be Mr. Logan seconded. ■ The amendment was lost and the motion carried. v ■ ■■■■ ,/ ■ • ■ • ■ It was then agreed that the rates should be:-Lighting. Ud in the £: hospital and charitable aid, l-7d ; . special No. 1. waterworks loan, Jd; social No. 2, drainage oan, 9-16 d; special No. 3, drainage loim r 9 '\ip ad; and KM i a i No. 4, waterworks loan (No. 2). |d. '