COUNTY FINANCE.

Wairarapa Age, 28 May 1936, Page 4

COUNTY FINANCE.

POSITION OF MASTERTON COUNCIL PAST YE AB’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED. EXCEPTIONAL BTOEM DAMAGE. “For the second year in succession the year’s operations closed with a debit balance, the £329 12s Id debit in the County Fund Account of the previous year (193435) having been increased to £630 5s 5d in 1935-36,” states Mt. J. C. D. Maekley, Clerk to the Masterton County Council, in his a-nnual report, presented at the annual meeting of the council yesterday. “When the extensive flood damage experienced during the year . ... is taken into account, the slight increase deficit must be regarded as satisfactory,” his report continues. “Much, of course, has yet to be done and a large proportion of the cost of repairing flood damage is included in the estimates for the current year. The total revenue from all sources amounted to £59,758 2s as against £73,525 8s lOd last year, while the expenditure for the same period including the construction of new bridges financed from loan moneys totalled £63,659 2s as against £82,785 17s 5d last year, making a total turnover for the twelve months of £123,417 4s. The revenue figures detailed in the following table are of special significance and confirm the statement made in my last annual report in regard' to Main Highway subsidies:—

BATE REVENUE. “It will be observed that Rate Revenue in relation to total revenue increased by approximately 9 per cent., while the revenue from Main Highway subsidies slumped by 3 per cent, against the figures for last year. Since the total revenue is some £13,767 less than last year, the position may be better explained 'by stating the cash position. In actual cash, the rate revenue increased by £2,632, while the revenue from Main Highway subsidies slumped by £6,083. Now that the council’s Main Highway bridge construction programme,, which was commenced in 1924, is completed, it is estimated that the revenue this year from the Main Highways Fund based on the estimated for the current financial year will be less by some £4,000 than last year. . . . During the current financial year, the proposed programme of works, if agreed to by the Main Highways Board, will entitle the council to approximately £13,000 in subsidy from the Main Highways Revenue Fund, this being some £lO,OOO less than the actual amount received in the financial year 1934-35. “The general expenses incident to the administration of the council for the past year totalled £2,720 6s 4d and this figure represents a decrease of £l3B 2s 3d over last year’s costs for general expenses. These costs have dropped by some £862 9s 2d during the last two years. The total salaries paid in the administration of the council amounted to £1,689 13s 4d, which is equal to 2.8 per cent on revenue and 2.G per cent, on expenditure. FLOOD DAMAGE.

11 The exceptional damage occasioned to roads and bridges by the heavy rain storms experienced during the last financial year made 'heavy inroads into the council’s finances. The total penditure incurred in clearing up this damage to March 31,1936, for both main highways and riding roads, reached the large total of £4,280. Much has yet to be done and the total cost of reconstructing two bridges which were washed away during the February flood and bridging a bad washout will amount to £4,000. The work of clearing up the slips and replacing metal is almost completed, the additional finance required for this work which has been provided for in the estimates for the current year, being £1,220. Altogether -the cost of restoring the damage brought about by the heavy rain storms during the last financial year will total £9,500. The council is greatly indebted to the Government for the manner in which it has assisted in the restoration and repair work by granting a £2 for £1 subsidy towards the cost. LOAN CONVERSION.

.The council’s scheme of conversion of its loan indebtedness was completed during the year, the sum involved amounting to £50,580. As a result of conversion, the public debt now stands at £84,405 14s as against £88,547 3s 9d prior to conversion. The annual saving m loan charges as a result of the conversion and readjustment is £702 14s 9d. The total sum now payable in respect of the indebtedness of the county is £4,934 0s lOd.”

Referring to relief camps, Mr. Mackley states that the total expenditure including all charges, that is, wages, rood, maintenance etc., in connection with the camps amounted to £5,811 4s Ivd, and after allowing for the subsidy provided by the Unemployment Board, the net cost to the council for the twelve months ended March 31, 1936 which was provided from rate revenue 18s IM, as against £1,016 Ils lid m the previous year. Since the establishment of the camps, the council has expended from its own funds, the large total of £4,715 16 s .

1935-36 1935-36 1934-35 per per £. cent. cent Bates 17,150 28.6 19.7 Rates subsidy 2.166 3.6 5.0 12J per cent. Bate subsidy 2,341 3.9 2.6 Main Highway Subsidy 17,004 28.4 31.4 Heavy Traffic fees proportion 1,053 1.7 2.0 Heavy Traffic fees allocation 6,536 10.8 M Motor Spirit Taxation ... 635 1.6 Unemployment Subsidy 6,079 10.1 21.9 Metal Sales 1,988 3.3 3.9 Other receipts 4.803 8.0 3.5 Totals 59,758 100.0 100.9