BOROUGH FINANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15885, 5 April 1915, Page 7

BOROUGH FINANCES.

POSITION OF BIRKENHEAD.

DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME.

Tim balance-sheet of the Birkenhead Borough for the financial year ended on March 31 has been compiled by the borough treasurer, and a draft copy was before members of the council last week. In view of the fact that the council has passed through a most anxious period during tho past few years, the statement of accounts just presented is considered eminently satisfactory. It discloses that the difficulties have been surmounted, and that the finances of the borough have been placed in a very satisfactory position.

Tho general account closed a year ago with a debit balance of £1567 0s lOd, but this has been reduced to £868 19s Bd. The hospital and charitable aid account receipts, including last year's surplus of £25 8s 9d, were £182 ih 7d, while the borough's contribution to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was £189 10s lOd, leaving a debit of £6 13s 2d. The contractors' deposits accounts disclosed an amount of £28 10s owing by the borough. Last year's debit in connection with the waterworks maintenance account, £412 Is 7d, has been reduced to £64 9s 9d. Items totalling £323 19s 6d were, however, nonrecurring. An amount of £2855 was borrowed and absorbed in liquidating the amounts owing in connection with the completion of the water supply and road reconstruction works. Tho first loan- incurred by the borough of £1664 has been repaid, and tho surplus interest produced by the special rate collected, £34 8s 7d, was transferred to the general account-. A credit of £18 6s 9d was carried forward in the £4400 loan interest account, while the £27.365 loan interest account showed a debit of £46 2s 2d. Uncollected rates totalled £279 4s 4d, while other arrears amounted to £396 13s lid.