MOUNT EDEN FINANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 16

MOUNT EDEN FINANCE.

Sir, —I was very pleased to read Mr. Nagle's letters dealing with the above. Tho time has fully arrived for Mount Eden ratepayers to consider joining up with the city, which means lower rates, with efficient administration. I am the owner of a small four-roomed cottago on a small section, for which I pay the Mount Eden Borough Council over £l4 per year. Mr. Potter seems anxious to mako Mount Eden a "tony" and aristocratic suburb, but it is possible to pay too dearly for this distinction, and it is time to take a pull. Civic.

Sir, —In reply to "-More, Light" may I give the following information.' For the past three years the figures for tho baths are: Receipts, £430; expenditure, £1124. To this should be added interest and sinking fund. In tho balance-sheet tho baths appear as an asset of £4500, which, at 6£ per cent., would bring the expenditure to £2OOO. The kiosk is leased, I hope to the benefit of both lessee and council. Authorised at £2OOO, but £2889 was spent, the excess being validated by legislation in the annual "washing-up'' Bill. The cost of Mount llobson Park, lam told, is impossible to obtain. When I entered the council I moved for a return showing capital cost and details. This was sanctioned, but after waiting a reasonable time my insistence brought the above reply. It is certain that loan money, unemployment subsidy, money, from the Young bequest and general funds all went to its formation. For the past three years tho average rent received was £274; the Croquet Club donated £lss_ toward the cost of pavilion, motor mower and shelter; the sum of £307 was received as royalty for stone sold. I cannot give either the capital cost or annual maintenance, but these municipal enterprises are always described as "valuable assets" by their originators. I cannot discuss what w» were called on to consider at the special meetings held to strike rctes for tho current year. I tried a wuck earlier to haVe the meetings open to the press, but suffered defeat, and the whole proceedings were taken in committee, but I would like, to state that thorough and searching criticism was freely used on each occasion. W. H. Nagle.