BLUFF BOROUGH

Southland Times, Issue 20662, 18 April 1929, Page 3

BLUFF BOROUGH

PAST YEAR’S WORK.

REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS.

At the meeting of the Bluff Borough Council on Tuesday evening, the last for the present council, the Town Clerk, Mr H. C. Gimblett, submitted the following review of accounts for the year 1928-29: — The balance sheet is not yet completed, but balances have been taken out for all receipts and expenditure, and are correct for balance purposes. The year under review has been an outstanding one for municipal activity, and a considerable amount of trading has been carried out to the council’s advantage.

The total receipts for the year were £14,490 11/3, and the expenditure was £18,371 2/9, including loan money expended amounting to £4022 6/7. The bank balances in the different accounts on March 31, 1929, were:—District Fund Account — debit £72 0/8; Cemetery Account —credit £23 8/-; Band Room Account —credit £lB 10/-. The amount owing to the District Fund Account on outstanding accounts was £1374 0/6, and the amount owing by the District Fund Account was £302 16/8. The Receipts.

During the year £875 8/2 was paid to the Public Trustee on account of sinking funds and the electric light renewal fund. The total amount now standing to the council’s credit in these funds is—Renewal fund, £833 9/10; Sinking funds, £lB2B 13/3. Since the establishment of these funds 44 years ago, £4,628 13/3 has been set aside, of which £2,800 has been utilized in the reduction of the public debt. New Town Hall. The total expenditure on the town hall and furnishings to date is £6,783 2/5. On October 20, 1928, municipal pictures were inaugurated, and the figures available show that this department should eventually prove an asset to the council. Considerable activity has been shown in the electrical trading department during the year, and although competition from outside contractors has been very keen, the council has secured the major part of the electrical work carried out in the borough. A large amount of work has been got, through by the Public Works Department for the year. The carting and drainage work carried out by this Department during the year for the town hall cost £220 7/-. This work while it lasted considerably upset the routine of the street construction and quarry work, otherwise we would have been further ahead with these jobs. The Quarry.

The main avenue for employment has been the quarry, and it is pleasing to be able to report a very satisfactory year: 5,977 tons of metal have been crushed and

The sales in this department for the year are £2,915 0/9, and prove that the installing of the crushing plant was a very wise move on the council’s part. The employing of men on work bringing in outside money to the council has also tended con-, siderably to relieve the unemployment in the borough. Water Department.

Receipts totalled! £lOO 9/11 in the water department and expenditure £7l 18/2. This department is on the upgrade, and each year shows improvement. In conclusion I would like to express on behalf of the staff and myself our sincere thanks for the treatment meted out to the staff during this council’s term of office. The harmonious relations that have, existed have been a big factor in furthering the interests of the council and the borough, and with a continuance of the present council in office, I feel sure that good will accrue to the borough.” Mr J. S. A. McDougall, in the temporary absence of the Mayor, said it was gratifying to receive such a report which showed their finances to be in a particularly healthy condition. The Town Clerk deserved a great deal of credit for the way in which he had looked after the management of their afMr G. R. George supported Mr McDougall, stating that the report disclosed a most satisfactory position. He moved that it be adopted and handed to the Press for publication.' The motion was carried.

The main items of receipts were:— d £ s Borough rates 5174 5 4 Power Board rates .. .. .. 289 1 Electric light 3262 10 3 Water 100 9 11 Rents 226 8 0 Licenses and by-law fees .. 463 6 4 P. W. Labour and goods .. .. 2436 3 1 E. L. labour and goods .. .. 398 3 4 Pictures 690 11 3 105S •7 Miscellaneous .. 390 1 6 Total . £14490 11 3 The main items of outstandings are: :— e s d Rates 649 7 0 Water 42 17 4 Rents 34 9 9 Electric light 59 12 10 E.L. installations 82 6 4 P.W. labour and goods .. .. 478 17 8 Miscellaneous 26 16 7 Total £1374 0 6

disposed of as follows:— Tons Cwt. Bluff sales . 243 12 Bluff streets . 1501 5 Main highway . 1459 4 Invercargill Borough .. . . 2652 3 Outside sales _ . 120 IB 5977