Harbor Board Finance.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 56, 15 January 1895, Page 4

Harbor Board Finance.

Before the Harbor Board adjourned on Wednesday, Mr Cock, the chairman, said he desired to make a few remarks, as this would be the last meeting of the existing Board. He stated that he had seen several paragraphs of late in country papers to the effect that the Board had been spending money illegally, that is, they had been misappropriating money in their expenditure, Now, as a matter of tact, the Board had been doing nothing of the kind, for the interests of all concerned had been looked after by the Board, who'had also been most economical in their administration. On December 81,1891, the amount in the sinking fund was £28,050, which represented bonds which had cost the Board £23,855, and the Board had therefore gained £SOOO in that deal. The Trust Commissioners had also a sum of £1465 19s Id at interest, making a grand total of £29,515 19s Id. Then with regard to the interest in arrears on their coupons. On November 1, 1891, it was £4500, whereas at the corresponding period in 1892 it was £9483. This last year the Board had paid the full £12,000 interest, and had also reduced the arrears by £BOOO. The increase in land revenue and the increase in the rate through higher valuation would enable them this year to pay off all iheir liabilities, and if things continued prosperous he believed that the Board would be in credit in 1896, and might be able to reduce the rate by a farthing. « Mr Maxwell said that the Chairman must be making a mistake about paragraphs reflecting on the administration of the Board ; he had not seen any such paragraphs. The Chairman replied that such paragraphs had appeared, for one was copied into a local paper. Mr George said that the paragraph did not actually charge the Board with misappropriating, but hinted that if . the Board got the chance they would do it. The Chairman : That is worse. Mr George remarked that the Board had been charged with keeping the rates up in order that the money could be spent round New Plymouth. Grosser rot was never uttered. The Chairman then referred to Mr Rennell’s services as collector, and maintained that the cheapest way to get in the rate was the system that tho Board had now. In conclusion he stated that it had not been his intention to stand for re-election, but on account of the remarks that had been passed about rubbing the present members out, he had altered his mind and was determined to stand to give those who talked a chance to rub him out.

Mr George said he regretted the state of his health would not permit him to seek re-election.—Herald.