CITY EXPENDITURE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11656, 22 October 1923, Page 5

CITY EXPENDITURE

BIC SALARIES INCREASE INTERESTING FIGURES FOR RATEPAYERS. RECEIPTS NEARLY DOUBLE. When the ratepayer comes to closely study tho figures contained in the City Council year book for the year April, 1923, to March, 1924, some very interesting—and hard—facts and figures will be found disclosed therein. WHAT WATER SUPPLY COSTS. Street works, which cost £39,101 in 1919, rose to £62,166 in 1921, to £33,208 in 1922, hut in 1923 the amount fell to £52,909. Waterworks, including interest and sinking fund, expenditure roso in five years from £43,463 to £63,341. Expenditure on city reserves has shown progressive increases for tho five vears 1919-23 inclusive, being £9889* £12,665, £18,175, £21,367, £20,048. HUGE WAGE LIST. Salaries in 1919 amounted to £7890; in 1920 to £12,665: in 1921 to £18,175: n 1922 to £21.367; and in 1923 fell •.lightly, to £20,048. this probably beng due to the variation in the arbitration awards. HOSPITAL LEVY. Hospital and charitable aid expenditure rose from £23,055 to £36,856 in 1922, but for the last year fell to £32,929. Miscellaneous expenditure has gone up in five years from £3601 to the substantial sum of £11,988. RECEIPTS. The rates, which produced £181,842 in 1919 for the last year brought in £291,640, an increase of £110,000; the revenue from licenses in 1919 was £6851, and has increased 50 per cent.; the letting of the Town Hall brought revenue in 1919 of £1473, but in the last two years it has brought in a little over £3030 per year; the library revenue has nearly doubled; reserve fees have increased from £I6BB to £7992 in the last five years; building fees have more than doubled, and the abattoir revenue has increased nearly 60 per cent. The total receipts in 1921 were £272.416; last year they were £403,521.