REVIEW OF THE YEAR

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3470, 24 May 1934, Page 5

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL'S AFFAIRS.

CHAIRMAN'S COMPREHENSIVE REPORT. At the statutory annual meeting of the Waipa County Council on Wednesday, the retiring chairman, Cr S. C. B. Macky, presented the to lowing report en the past year's operations: In presenting my annual report on the operations of the council over the past financial year, I have pleasure in again being able to report a sound and satisfactory position in respect to the county funds, more especially when considered with the fact that rates struck were reduced by £2603 from the amount struck in the previous year, or approximately 13>- per cent. The financial year ended with a credit of £12,886 16s sd, as compared with £9283 5s 7d at 31st March, 1933. It has to be admitted, however, that in achieving this result it has been necessaiy to curtail expenditure to the lowest possible minimum, and consequently the standard of road maintenance has not been a'l that could be desired. It was, however, necessary for the council to adopt a careful policy, as it was hard to estimate, owing to prevailing low prices, as to what percentage of the lates levied could be collected, and in fact a considerable proportion of the paid until nearing the end of the year, when the 10 per cent penalty became operative. It is p easing to note that the amount actually received was 83.3 per cent of the total European rates struck, as compared with 78.8 per cent in the previous year. This excellent result speaks volumes for the general solidity of the Waipa County and also for the diligence of our collector. Also another factor may be that ratepayers appreciate the action of the counci' in having made a substantial reduction in the rates levied, thus showing their desire to lighten the load as much as possible in conformity with lessened ability of the ratepayers to meet the chaiges. The 13 per cent reduction made last year added to the 8 per cent in the previous year makes a total reduction of 21 per cent over the 2 years. I am of opinion, however, that it would not be advisable to make a further reduction this year, as the balance in hand will not be more than sufficient to tide the counci over the lean period, until the current year's rates can be collected. Also it seems desirable that toads generally should be maintained to a higher! standard than was the case last year, as if this is not done deterioration will be likely to set in. The revenue from al! sources, in addition to the balance of £9283 5s 7d at Ist April, 1933, amounted to £60,640 17s 9d, as compared with £62,777 18s 7d for the previous year. The chief items among the receipts we?c general rates and arrears, 1934, £lB,915 lis 7d, as against £17,261 14s lOd in 1933; hospital rates, £4099 15s lid, as against £3803 9s 6d in 1933; special rates, £5690 7s lid, as against £5131 8s Id in 1933; Government subsidy £2500, as against £2500 in 1933; heavy traffic licenses £1864 0s 7d, as against £1543 8s 7d in 1933; unemployment funds £8349 10s 5d as against £12.484 lis 6d in 1933; main highways subsidy £7060 17s 7d, as against'£Bl9l 14s lid in 1933; hire of plant £6123 7s 9d, as against £5761 18s 2d in 1933; drivers' licenses £595 13s 6d, as against £575 15s 6d in 1933; rentals £507 18s, as against £556 2s 8d (1933); Government grants £571 4s lOd (1934). as against £932 16s (1933); riding refunds £2560 6s 3d, as against £2036 15s lid (1933); stores and materials £1329 17s 4d; contribution for Pukeatua Hal', £445 15s lid; refunds £389 8s Id; contributions i'nom local bodies to interest on loans, £233 10s sd; stamp duty £l7l 6s 3d, and a host of smaller items too numerous to enumerate. In comparing items of revenue in the separate years a notable difference is in the amount received from the Highways Boaird for highways, viz., £7060 17s 7d, as against £Bl9l 14s lid in 1933, and £10,406 8s Id in 1932. The reduced amount received is owing to the Highways Board's funds having been depleted to assist the Consolidated Revenue, and as the council contributes only in proportion to the amount received from the Highways Board, it will be seen that it 'is not possible for the council to maintain the highways to as high a standard as when receiving the larger amounts. The amount received from the Government as grants for subsidy of new works, viz., £571 4s lOd, is also considerably lower than that received in previous years, and is likely to be further curtailed in the current year. An item which shows a healthy increase is the amount of £1864 0s 7d received from heavy traffic licenses, which is £320 12s 6d in ■excess of the amount received in the previous year. This excess is probably largely due to the vigilence of our traffic inspector and is proof of thp wisdom of the council in joining with other local bodies in the establishment of a traffic control group. A report which was befoie the council at last meeting indicated that cost of inspection is vo'ry light, while a great saving is probably effected in the major consideration of the saving of the reads by the proper regulation of weight and speeds. The total expenditure for the period has amounted to the sum of £57.037 6s lid. as compared with £59,935 9s 7d for the previous year. The principal items of expenditure are: —Riding works, £10.986 0s 9d (£10,250 5s Id); main loads, £1165 3s 6d (£1664 lis 8d); main highways, £10,331 4s lid (£10,978 9s)—council's share, £2949 17s sd, main highways' share £7381 7s 6d); unemployment works No. 5 scheme: Development work £3560 5s Bd, drainage £751 17s 6d, Head works £2240 13s, private land (ragwort) £1732 16s 3d; plant working, £4601 Is 7d; new plant, £858; stores, materials and petrol £ISOO Is; Hospital Board, £3854 10s 6d; salaries. £1778 19s Id; interest and principal repayments, £9OOO 14s 9d. The expenditure in some cases was less than the amount budgeted fop, viz., on main highways £SO, on bridge £223, and interest on overdraft £1.83.

The total amount paid to the bank for interest on overdraft was £l7 19s 4d as against £lB2 16s in 1933, and £439 Os 3d in 1932, and is probably the lowest amount paid over a longperiod of years. The estimates were exceeded in the i item for purchase of new plant by £558 it being considered better policy to pay cash for new grader p'ur-

chased, rather, than obtain same on hire purchase, system as originally intended. Administration costs have been kept to a s low a level as possible, consistent with efficient working and are at the satisfactory figure of 5.68 per cent of the total expenditure as compared with 5.58 per cent last year. Probably the most important matter to engage the attention of the council during the current year will be the question of the permanent surfacing of the Great South main highway within the county. On October last £he council made application to the Local Government Loans Board for consent to raise a loan for this purp: se, but at time of writing no reply has come to hand. In thi 1 event of consent being received it will then rest with the council to ask ratepayers for their consent by means of a poll. Ratepayers won dbe well advised not to come to hasty conclusions in this connection without first hearing the p: os and cons of the proposal. It is the intention of the council to hold meetings in various centres prior to the poll being taken, so that ratepayers may have the advantage of having the fullest information before deciding the question. The total cost of maintenance of this particular highway during the past year was £5921 4s 6d, or £l9B per mile, and it must be admitted that the expenditure of this large amount has not resulted in the provision of a satisfactory running surface. Since our last annual meeting the council has suffered a severe loss through the death of two highly valuedmembeis in the persons of Messrs R. G. Speake and Alex. Livingstone. Both gentlemen spent the greater part of their lives in the Waipa County, and both had records of long and faithful service both in a pub ic and private capacity. I desire to place on record my keen appreciation of the valuable services rendered by both gentlemen to ratepayers and public generally, during my long association with them as members of this council. In conclusion I wish to cordially thank councillors and members of the staff for the unfai ing courtesy ex tended to me in my capacity as chaiiman of this council and also the representatives of the Press for their faithful and tactful reports of meetings, 'the thanks of the council are due to a loyal and efficient staff for their' excellent work during the past year. Our thanks are also due to officers of the Highways Board, the Public Works Department for their cordial co-operation in matters affecting their/ particular Department. THE ENGINEER'S REVIEW.

Supplementing the chairman's re port the engineer (Mr .1. W. Civil) presented his review of outside activities as follows: The following is a summary of work carried out from May 24th, 1933, to May 23rd, 1934:—1n addition to the general maintenance , the following work has been carried out: Formation of new roads, 3 mi es 35 chains; new gravelling and sanding, 5 miles 28 chains; the total amount of metal supplied and carted is 12,654 cubic yards. The amount of gravel sand carted from (Sandpits for surfacing and resurfacing is 26,335 cubic yards. Concrete culverts laid: -9in. 1764 lineal feet, 12in. 107 ft.; 15in. 148 ft.; 18in. 180 ft.; 24in. Bft.; 30in. 40ft.; 36in. 80ft. In view of the fact that during the past year it was doubtful as to what finance would be available for expenditure, a 1 maintenance and construction works were reduced to a minimum, and as a result a majority of the riding accounts at 31st Maich showed a good credit balance. However, since that date a number of necessary and useful works have been completed. Having in mind the sound condition of our finances and the fact that we may reasonably lieve that better: times are ahead, I wou d like to suggest that we adopt a more progressive policy with respect to our secondary highways and main roads by concentrating upon certain picked lengths. This meam that these sections would be built up and kept in good repair until they werje of a good even surface and uniform shape and then they could be. surface sealed at an approximate cost' of £BOO per mi e, so that each year our roading system would be steadily improved in such a way as to ensure a permanently good running surface and also eliminate the dust nuisance. Apart from this, on account of the increasing motor traffic it must be obvious that if such a policy is not adopted, special loans will eventually have to be raised for some of these roads, and it is felt that the majority of the works can be dealt with out of revenue over a period of years—a saving of expenditure both in maintenance and construction must accrue.

The engineer explained the different systems of surfacing, remarking that the new method represented a surface of about threequarters of an inch, and it would need a resurfacing coat about every third year. That would be even more economical, and would give a really good surface, thus inducing maintenance, of roads, petrol, vehicles, and tyres, and save time in travelling. His remarks did not apply to the Great South Road, but to the secondary highways. Cr Johnson quite agreed that, a more progressive poiey in regard to sealing several miles of the secondary highways was desirable. He thought the council should adopt that policy even if only one mile annually was done, out of i evenue. Perhaps a larger subsidy couid be obtained from the Highways Board or Government for this class of work. He congratulated both the chairman and engineer upon their very excellent reports. Both were deserving of the highest commendation and congratulation, end he moved the adoption of the reports. Cr Onion, .seconding, remarked on the decreased allocation from the Main Highways. The Govev.nment was quite wrong in taking petrol revenue for general purposes. Cessation of this practice would, in a measure, afford de-rating—so much needed by farmers at the present time. Mr Civil added in explanation, that, a subsidy of £2 for £1 would probacy be obtained from the Highways Board for the main roads. He thought t'-ie sealing would average about £BOO per mile. The Hamilton-Whatawhata road could perhaps be sealed for at least two miles this year, and probably a imile of main road in Pukekura Riding. Cr Clarke commended the practice of permanent surfacing the main roads, and referred to part of the Puniu Road. He congratulated the ergineer's policy as economic, and therefore in the interests of the ratepayers while serving a" 1 users of the roads.

Cr Onion remarked that he,was,.entirely in record with a policy of surfacing the roads out of annual revenue, and mentioned some other county councils that had adopted that policy. Cr Peacocke remarked that he was pleasantly surprised at Cr Onion's remarks, for he recalled that that geh'leman had earlier advocated nonpayment of rates. However, he would object to increasing rates to provide for surfacing. Money was steadily becoming cheaper; and the time wOu'd not be far distant when the ratepayers would not have to pay so much •for loan money. Cr Clarke said the penetration method of surfacing roads was previously given as £2OOO per mile. He was intrigued with the idea of getting principal roads surfaced at £8j)0 per mile. -_• - . The retir ning officer, Mr T. Grant, then assumed charge of the meeting, and invited nominations for the position of chairman, for the new term. He explained the procedure and then expressed the sincere thanks of the itaff, both clerical "and engineering, for the courtesies and consideration given them by Mr Macky during the 'erm just closing. Cr Peacocke nominated Cr Macky '"or re-election, l'emarking that, the nominee had had probably the longest experience of anyone at the counci table, and he was an admirable leader. Cr Church seconded, and all the other councillors spoke in. suppovt, terming Mr Macky the ideal chairman and colleague; * " ".:". "■ '.'■'. There being no other nomination, Cr Macky was declared unanimously y re-elected for a further term, amid applause. - . •? Mr Macky thanked the councillors and staff for their indications of- confidence and goodwi 1, and added that he would continue to do his best. On the motion of Crs Onion and Church votes of thanks to the staff and the Press were recorded amid applause. The fol'owing Finance Committee was elected: Crs S. C. B. Macky. A. H. Storey. J. T. Johnson, E. F. -Peacocke, J. .S. Fisher and D. B. Livingstone. The only alteration from last tp:?m is that. >h-> lrst named ..succeed*, hr. brother," the late Mr Alex Livingstone.