COUNTY FINANCE.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXV, Issue 3314, 4 November 1914, Page 3

COUNTY FINANCE.

* MORE MONEY WANTED.

_____ v TtMBER REVENUE QUESTION

Financial matters occupied a good deal ot attention at the meeting ot the Thames County Council yesterday, and on account of the emptiness ot the County treasury very little work.was authorised. The Chairman (Mr R. W. Bagnall) safd he, had pointed out to the Prime Minister that the Council was losing about £ 1000 in rates from the Hauraki Plains—owing to that area being exempt trom general rates—and was also losing timber revenue that it should receive. He had put the matter forcibly before the Prime Minister as he considered Government should come to the rescue and put matters right. At a latter stage of the meeting mention was made of the delay in forwarding the money for work carried out by Government grants on account of the work not being inspected by the department's officer. It was decided to write to the department and point out the delay, , showing that the money had been applied for but not received. The Council also decided to inform the Lands Board that it had allocated the timber revenue for certain work, had made application for the money, and had not received it, , pointing out that the Council was in need ot the money. The clerk: They have had three or lour applications for the money already. The Chairman said the Council had endeavoured to obtain the sum of £753 that should come to it from timber revenue so as to reduce the overdraft. •Mr Deeble said they should demand, from Government the timber revenue that had been held back. The revenue had been given to the local bodies, and if through the fault of the Crown law officers the local bodies were not legally entitled to it, the Government should make their claim good. He moved that an urgent application be made to Government ior the money, pointing out that the Council had made expenditure and overdrawn at the bank in expectation ot receiving the money, and that Government had placed the Council m a wrong position. Mr Baker pointed out that they had already on several occasions approached Government on this matter. Mr Law agreed that they should make as strong representations as possible as it they did not receive the money they could not meet their outstanding accounts. Mr Deeble's motion was carried unanimously. It was then suggested by Mr Deeble that all the Councillors should meet the member for the district (Mr T. W. Rhodes) and place the matter forcibly before him. " The Act,'"" said Mr Deeble, " was brought in by the Ward ' Government to give local bodies assured finance, and was supported by Mr Massey, but now the assured finance as slipping through our fingers :i The suggestion to meet the member $br the district was agreed to. When the time for. passing accounts ((a little over £Soo) came along, the Chairman said that steps were' being taken to get the money in to • meet the accounts. The clerk pointed out that the Council's overdraft was over the limit at present, and all the members would be liable tor any additional amount. Mr Killgour (chairman ot the finance committee) moved that the accounts be passed, and handed to the clerk tor payment. The clerk : Am I to pay all these accounts ? Members only smiled, and the accounts were duly passed. x . '_J_—, ' ■