MOUNT EDEN RATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15914, 11 May 1915, Page 4

MOUNT EDEN RATES.

CONSIDERABLE INCREASE.

REVIEW OF FINANCES.

An interesting statement concerning the financial position of the Mount Eden borough and the work carried out by the council during the past year was made by the Mayor, Mr. 0. Nicholson, at the first meeting of the newly-elected council last evening.

The Mayor said that an increase of the general rate appeared to be unavoidable this year, and rigid economy would have to be observed in the administration of the borough affairs. As the council was aware the borough some five years ago inaugurated a comprehensive scheme for laying down the roads to their, permanent levels. Such a scheme wis an absolute necessity, and the major portion of the roads had been laid down accordingly.

I From information supplied to him from the office, said the Mayor, he found that there were 29 miles 6 chains of public roads in the borough. Of these 25£ miles had been laid down to permanent levels, 13 miles had been completed, 12£ miles had been partially completed, and 3 miles 46 chains, including three boundary roads, still required attention. In the partially completed roads the main construction works had been effected, the work necessary to complete the same being of a varying nature, but mostly in the direction of metalling and the ta«jng and sanding of footpaths. The loans originally raised and expended had not been sufficient to carry out the works completed. In the first place, owing to the f'tnto of the money market a sum of £3199 was lost to the council for discount and the expense of placing its debentures. This amount of necessity had to bo provided out of the general fund of the borough. In addition to this the council had had to face a considerable rise in wages, carting, and material throughout the whole of the period during which the roads were under construction, which rise had proved another very material drain on the borough's general fund. The following figures, proceeded Mr. Nicholson, would give some indication of the strain placed on the financial resources of the council. They showed moneys had been paid for road construction in excess of loan moneys —Subsidy to No. 4 loan, £1330; No. 7, £2580 5s 7d; No. 9, £7293 13s sd; No. 8, Dominion Road Bridge loan. £688 14s 3d; total, £11,892 13s 3d. In addition the council had expended in anticipation of a drainago loan, to be refunded, £1023 16s 2d. The estimates for tbe year would show that the cash debit on the general account, irrespective of certain outstanding liabilities, was £12,450 (fe 4d, which was more than accounted for by the figures quoted above in respect of road construction, of which the borough had now the benefit, and the expenditure of which would have had to be faced if progress was desired by the council. The council had endeavoured to keep the general rate as low as possible during the period of road construction, added the Mayor. Taking the general rate at Is 3d, the same as last year, and deducting the annual recurring payments, it left 6Jd to carry on the maintenance of the roads and general construction thereof. As this would bring in a revenue of about £3500 per annum it would be practically impossible to do any material constructive works. It ehould accordingly bo apparent that the general rate must be raised to an extent that would allow the' works of the borough to proceed commensurate with its progress. The coming year would be one Tor the practice of most rigid economy. The main work that would require attention would be drainage and the augmentation of the water supply. Upon the money being raised the work should be proceeded with. The general rate was eventually fixed by tne council at Is 8d in the £.