BOROUGH OF MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 91, 17 April 1929, Page 12

BOROUGH OF MARTON

LAST YEAR'S OPERATIONS REVIEW EY THE MAYOR The Mayor of Alarton (Mr F. Pur noli) has issued the following s‘J.’.enient in regard to the Alarton Borough Council’s operations for the past year: “A full programme of works as well as unexpected demands, gavt* the council much concern to keep the expenditure within the receipts as is required by statute, he continued.'’ It is gratifying to know Hie financial position at the end of the year was quite sound —the actual credit balance was £248 13s 3d. Of this amount, £214 13s 9.i represents tin* balances of special n t erest accounts, etc., available only for the purpose for which the money was collected. 'Therefore lhe acJu:;! credit balance for the year was £33 19s 6d. “The total amount of rates (gei'eral, special and water) collectible wa> £6292 17s lid; the amount actually collected was £6239 3s 7d; and the amount in arrear was £53 14s lid. This very excellent result is a coiupliuiei.t to the ability of the rate collector, and also to |hp ratepayers for paying ill" very reasonable demands made Lpoii them. Renewal Funds “Six years ago the council established renewal funds in connection With its waterworks and Town Hall. The usual payments were made and t!ie-u funds now total: AXatep A\ (>rks .. .. ]37ii 7 6 Town Hall .. ’. . .1927 13 1 . ‘‘ Ihis amount is not a pajier bal ance, but actual cash invested with the I’uldic Trustee al present bearing interest at 5.{ per cent, per annum. Town Hall Account “Total receipts, including rents. < tc. £4107 hs 2<l; expenditure (gene n £2983 7s, renewal fund £l5O. jut crest £240, sinking funds £42 10s) £3 1 15 I7< The net balance of £<>9l Jis 2d nu.tie a very welcome addition to the borough funds. The general results confirm the wisdom of the council in Inking o \er the control of the pictures. The patronage accorded the undertak- . ing his *i;o\<*d quite equal to expectations. Alurh of the credit was due to the excellent work of the manageroperator, Air Geo. Hogan. It has been the aim of the council to provide a first-class programme at the lowest possible price. The Picture Committee fully realised that the council ’s monopoly as far as Alarton is concerned brought its responsibilities, and much personal attention was given by the members of the committee to see these responsibilities were fully met.” The Mayor specially mentioned the invaluable help given by Council ors Barton and Gregory. Many improve ments to the hall were effected. The proposals for the present year include the installation of electric heating. Roads and Footpaths The total expenditure was £3532 Ils Id and the refunds £llO6 7s 9d, making a net expenditure under this healing of £-2426 3s 4d. The refunds included a payment of £|s2 0s lid by the Main Highways Board, the first of , its kind received by the Alarton Borough—for maintenance of Broadway. High Street and AVellington Road. The bulk of this money was used to recon- , struct 14 chains of Broadway, this work being long overdue. A payment of £320 10s 6d was received from the Railway Department being cost of tarsealing its service road from Station Street to the railway platform. Owing to the wet weather experienced in the winter and early spring the metalled roads required much more attention than usual and it is interesting to record an output of 2975 yards of metal from the borough pit —a record year in this respect. One hundred and twenty chains of road wore tar-sealed during the year—definitely beyond the average. The foreman of works (Air Brant) and his staff are to be congratulated upon the results, both as regards excellence of work and low costs. Marton Park The expenditure was £265 13s lid; new play ground area £36 10s 3d; total £302 4s 2d. The receipts totalled £35 7s lOd, and donations £2O 16s —£563 10s; net cost £246 0s 4d. Owing to the generosity of the R. C. Bruce Trustees a welcome addition to the Park was made. This portion is intended for the purposes of a children’s playing area. The land was tile-drained and planted in potatoes with excellent results. The football playing area has much improved as Iho result of the previous year’s draining operations. Public attention has been drawn to the necessity of building a suitable grandstand and dressing sheds complete. This matter is to receive early attention. Councillor AlcKenzm as honorary supervisor, has given a groat deal of time to the general improvements of the Park and is giving personal attention to the cultivation of native trees. He deserves the special thanks of the ratepayers. Extra Water Supply Account The receipts, including £768 18s 6d from the Railway Department, totalled £1360 Us Id; expenditure on maintenance, etc. £615 7s, transferred in relief of special rate £621 16s (the nigh est amount transferred to date); ieuv ing the balance of £123 8s Id transferred to General Account as beng portion of the general maintenance, etc of the borough. 'The supply las proved equal to all demands. After three months of very dry weather there is still a depth of 18 feet of water in the dam. The continued wet weather in the winter had no adverse effect on the embankments of the dam. The council has continued its policy of replacing some of the U-inch mains with 3-inch pipes, 30 chains of this w<’ik being completed last year at a cost or £250. It is proposed to do another 30 (drains of this necessary work during the current year. Gas Working Account Total receipts £4155 17s; total payments, including £487 10s interest, and sinking fund on Joan. £4,366 8s 6d; net loss for year £2lO Us 6d. The sum of £458 3s (hl was expended for gas cookers and these being the property of the council are a dis’lnet asset and a valuable set off agauist the above-mentioned debit. The council has concentrated on the supply of gas for cooking purposes and durnig the last 18 months has installed SO cookers. These arc up-to-date and give excellent results. 'The average price to the consumer for a month’s usa of gas for cooking is ajjproximately 17s.

The revenue received for the year a 8 hire for these cookers totalled £36 16s 3d. Mr Wilkins and stall have given much, attention to the individual gas services and practically every service has received attention up to date. The amendment Act of last year imposed on the council as from the first of present month, the duty of providing for reasonable depreciation of its 'gas works undertaking. This requires io be a cash investment. This provision comes at a difficult period owing to the competition with electricity. Hospital and Charitable Aid The Wanganui Hospital Board s levy amounted to £694 125., while our hospital rate produced £619 ISs 4d., leaving a debit on this account of £74 13s 4d. A small increase in this rate may be necessary to keep pace with this ever-growing expenditure.

Library Receipts: Special rates collected £206 16s 3d; subscriptions £75 Us 8d; total £282 7s lid. Expenditure (including £lOl 18s 7d for new books and periodicals) £250 J9s 11(1; underspent £3l Bs. It is admitted that the library is in need of more attention, particularly in the circulating department, by the council’s committee and 'he matter will receive the serious consideration and action of the incoming council. Swimming Baths Expenditure £76 12s Id; receipts £5O 5s sd; the net cost being £26 6s lOd for this popular asset. The thanks of the council are again due to the members of the Marton Swimming Club for assistance and goodwill. General Items The following appear in the balance sheet: — / Eire Brigade subsidy and maintenance (not including rent of building) £l2O 19s Iod, The recent very successful jubilee celebration of the brigade need not be enlarged upon. Abattoir Account—Repairs, renewals and improvements to grounds and buildings cost £l3B 7s 9d. Nightwatchman. —Amount collected £305 11s lOd; amount expended, salary and insurance £306 16s Bd. Street Lighting, including special Christmas and New Year’s illumi'i::tions, cost £495 9s fid. The donations received totalled £2O, leaving the net, charge £475 9s fid. The council now owns 16 festoons of coloured lights which will bo available on special occasion's subject to a small charge for erection. The Mayor concluded his statement by expressing very hearty appreciation of the very cordial support he .had received from all the Councillors and the borough staff. The illness of Mr Kniggc—causing his’ retirement —was very much to be regretted. In Miss Batten the borough had a very excollent and capable assistant.