BOROUGH OF ST. KILDA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19465, 28 April 1925, Page 4

BOROUGH OF ST. KILDA.

PRESENT COUNCIL’S PROGRESS.

A SATISFACTORY POSITION.

At the final meeting of fhe St. Kiloa Borough Council as at present constituted, held last night, the Mayor (Ml - C. Todd) said that before vacating office he deemed it his duty to place before the ratepayers a statement showing the progress made during the past two years. During his term councillors had worked hard to bring about the present satisfactory position and had rendered every assistance in and out of council ifi promoting the general welfare of the borough. In November, 1923, Cr Mercer resigned owing to transfer to Auckland and Cr Carolin on account of ill-health. In December of the same year Crs Beattie and Hall were elected to fill the vacancies. On the council taking office in May, 1923, Cr Dove was appointed deputy Mayor, Or Leary chairman of finance, Cr Edgar chairman of reserves and fire brigade, and Cr Kilpatrick chairman of works.

Finance governed the position to a great extent, so he mentioned a few of the outstanding figures. The toal net liability on taking office amounted to £58,354, and this had been reduced to £56,938, a reduction of £1416 on March 31. The present council inherited a healthy financial position, as it had £2916 to carry on with, and now handed over to the new council £3191 17s 6d. The special rates were levied for the purpose of providing interest on loans, but fell short of the requirements in this respect to the extent of £IOOO which was home by the general account. The general rate produced £6095 14s 7d, and the revenue from other sources, such as rents, licenses, etc., a total of approximately £2OOO. Out_ of that the council had to provide for sanitation £4OO, fire protection £450, sinking funds £354. street lighting £BOO, interest short provided for £IOOO, general administration and other expenses, while the balance was left for street maintenance and formation. In this direction wages abosrbed £2OOO. During the past two years the sum of £5651 had been expended in street_ maintenance, street construction, and sanitation. The expenditure in this direction for the year ended March 31, 1924, was £2536, and for the year ended March 51, 1 1925, £3115, in addition to which the tar sprayer, at a cost of £2OO, had been purchased. This had proved a profitable investment. The volunteer fire brigade had been badly handicapped by totally inadequate plant. The lire engine took much coaxing to start, and there had been grave danger of a fire being over before the engine arrived on the scene. A big expenditure had been also necessary for new hose. It had been therefore decided to disband the brigade, and an agreement had been com© to with the Dunedin Fire Board to protect the borough. The cost was £250 per year greater than under Ihe volunteer system, but the ample protection now afforded was well worth the money. Scarcity of water had caused no end of trouble, so in November, 1923, negotiations wore entered into with the City Council for an increased supply, and an order had been placed for the necessary mains in December. These came to hand in May lost, and the new supply had been turned on on September 13. The cost of laying the maim was approximately £967, and in addition to this the council had to pay the city £l3O per annum, being 5 per cent, on the cast of the mains in iheir area— i. 0,, to the borough boundary. '1 ho water account for the first year of office was £2OBO, and for this year £2386an increase of £3OO odd, brought about by the increased supply for a short period of the year only. It was anticipated that water would cost about £2BOO during the current year. Instead of general complaint regarding scarcity of water, the council now had numerous calls to repair leaking taps and overflowing cisterns. In December last an arrangement was entered into with the Oily Council whereby electric light took (ho place of gas in Bay View road, resulting in a reduction of 16s 6d per eloctric lamp in the whole electric lighting system of the borough. In conclusion. Air Todd paid a tribute to the efficient work of the town clerk (Mr W. G. Griffin) and the borough staff. The Mayor was thanked for his report, and several councillors eulogised his services during the past term.