NO RATES BY TRANSPORT BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 23818, 16 May 1939, Page 7

NO RATES BY TRANSPORT BOARD

SURPLUS OF £lB2l ON YEAR’S WORKING (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 15. “While in the last instance financial responsibility rests upon the ratepayers, it has never yet been necessary for the board to collect a rate and if the undertaking is prudently directed I can see no necessity for such action in the future,” stated the retiring chairman of the Auckland Transport Board, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, at the annual meeting. Outlining the accounts for the year ended March 31, he said the result of the year’s working was a surplus of £lB2l. “While this surplus is small it is arrived at after making all interest and sinking fund payments and providing for all other charges which should properly be met out of the board’s revenue,” Mr Mason said. “I do not think it is the function or the desire of the board to make large profits. Its primary object is to provide efficient and adequate transport at the lowest possible cost.” Revenue increased by £14,000 and working expenses by £26,000. There was an increase of 2,000,000 in the number of passengers.

With the official count for the Auckland Transport Board election held on May 3 uncompleted the board was unable to carry out the full agenda at its annual meeting. After the adoption of the reports and financial statements the meeting was adjourned for a week, when, if the results zf the poll have been formally declared, the new board will complete the meeting by electing a chairman arid a deputy-chairman and considering the estimates.