COUNTY COUNCILS' YEAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 14

COUNTY COUNCILS' YEAR.

PROGRESS AT ROTORUA. IMPROVEMENTS IN ROADING. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ROTORUA. Thursday. The annual meeting of the Rotorua County Council was held to-day. The retiring chairman, Mr. H. P. Ford, presented the report for (he past year. This stated that steady progress had been made in loading conditions throughout the county. The increase in motor traffic had called for a better class of road, and the generous assistance of the Main Highways Board had enabled much improvement to be effected. The sum of £2OOO had been spent in maintenance during the year, six and ahalf miles of new metalling done, 105 miles of roads graded, and six and a-half miles of new roads formed. The condition of tourist roads had been brought under the notice of the Government, and I it was expected that mote liberal subsidies would be made. As the result of the council's deputation to the Minister of Lands, financial assistance was being granted by the Government to provide access roads to new Crown settlements. The county office would shortly be erected. There were sufficient funds for this purpose without borrowing. The finances of the county were in a sound condition. The total receipts were £13.049. and the expenditure was £15,929. A further £4OOO was raised on account of a roading loan, making a total of £20.000. The balance unexpended at fho end of the year, £3627, would enable the council to "uplift any Government subsidies. It would not bo necessary to raise further loan money, and future works and maintenance could be carried out without any increase of rates. Mr. Jolly proposed that Mr. Ford be re-elected as chairman. He said Mr. Ford had devoted a great deal of time to the council's work. The proposal was carried unanimously. OPERATIONS IN WAITOMO. SATISFA CTO R Y FIN A N CES. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] TE KUITI, Thursday. At the annual meet.ng of the Waitomo County Council yesterday Mr U. Were was re elected chairman. Statements in regard to (lie council's financial position showed a more satisfactory position than had ever been the case before. Each of the ridings had commenced the year with a credit balance as follows:—Aria, £1127; Awakino, £1103; Hangatiki, £1519; Mahoenui, £1273; Mairoa, £1394; Paernnko, £1851; Tangitu, £2356; To Is niti, £1672. The total receipts during the past year were shown at £66.500, and expenditure at £52.900. The net credit balance on the whole operations amounted to £28.000, representing an increase of £13,000 on (he previous year's balance.