GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20763, 25 June 1937, Page 4

GERALDINE

BOROUGH ESTIMATES RATES INCREASED A special meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council, held on Wednesday evening, to consider the estimates for the financial year ending on March 31 ,1938, was attended by the DeputyMayor, Mr J. R. Lack, in the chair, and Councillors H. Russell, P. H. Davis, E. B. D. Logan and Z. O. Sherratt. Apologies were received from the Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald) and Cr. A. J. Bell.

The Deputy-Mayor extended a cordial welcome on behalf of the Council to the new town clerk, Mr C. L. Kirby, formerly of Gore, who commenced duty that day. Mr Lack expressed a hope that Mr Kirby would have a pleasant term of office, and assured him of the co-operation of the Council and staff.

In reply, Mr Kirby expressed pleasure at his appointment, and remarked that he would do his best in the interests of the Council and the town.

Mr Lack also took the opportunity to express the Council’s thanks to Mr A. L. Jordan, of Christchurch, who had assisted the Council by bringing the work up-to-date, and by having everything in readiness for the new town clerk to take over. Mr Jordan had done excellent work for the Council, which they appreciated very much. The councillors cordially endorsed Mr Lack's remarks.

In reply, Mr Jordan thanked the Deputy-Mayor and the councillors for the remarks made, stating that he had been very pleased to help the Council. He expressed his appreciation of the help given by the Borough foreman (Mr G. E. Berry) and the acting clerk (Mr W. H. Broad). Mr Jordan remarked that in Mr Berry the Borough had an excellent foreman who knew his work thoroughly, and Mr Broad had proved himself a capable and efficient clerk.

A report presented by Mr Jordan on Borough office organisation, etc., was acknowledged with thanks. The estimates were then considered, the receipts Including subsidies, rents, licenses and miscellaneous items being estimated to produce £1,537/15/-. The anticipated expenditure, comprising administration, salaries, wages, public works, fire prevention and grants and sundries, totalled £2936/6/4.

Cr. Russell gave notice to move the adoption of the estimates Cr. Russell also gave notice to move “That "the following rates be struck for the year ending March 31, 1938. General rate, 81d in the £, on unimproved value; water rate l*d in £ on unimproved value; town hall and library loan, special rate of 2d in the £ on unimproved value, and Gas and Masonic Hall Purchase Renewal Loan, special rate Sd in the £ on unimproved value.” In order to meet additional anticipated expenditure, due to the increases in the South Canterbury Hospital Board and the Timaru Harbour Board levies, the Council decided to increase the rates by one penny and oneeighth in the £ on the total levy for the previous financial year.