HARBOUR ESTIMATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 126, 30 May 1935, Page 9

HARBOUR ESTIMATES

INCREASED RATING [regrettable but necessary EXPENDITURE KEPT AT MINIMUM. I i Following a decision icached at a special meeting of the Wanganui Harbour Board yesterday morning, an increase in rates is to be made for the current year. The statement of estimates disclosed that in order to meet the position £15,575 is required m rates, as against £13,194, raised last year. :i he managing-secretary, Mr. \V. J. Gardner, slated that Hie expenditure was kept down io the absolute minimum. it was regretted that increased rates were necessary. After a discussion the new rales for the current year were unanimously adopted. The amounts to be contributed by the city and various counties (previous rates in parentheses) will be as follow: W anganui City, £11,498 (£9665); Wanganui County, £lB4l (£1600); Waitotara County, £2201 (£1895); Waiinarino County, £35 (£34). Total, £15,575 (£13,194). Members Express Opinions Two country members, Messrs. D. Ross and R. 4 arley contended that the expenditure should be curtailed even more. It was pointed out, however, that every item on the estimates had been carefully considered. The chairman (Mr. W. Morrison) expressed his regret that an increase was necessary. ..Air. D. Ross: Do you think you can carry on with this amount?” Mr. W. Morrison: With economy, 1 think we can. , Mr. J. Siddells held that so far as the city was concerned it was a very serious matter. He would support the motion because the board could not do without the money. It was regrettable that the rate should have to go up almost £2OOO in the city. Representing the Wanganui County, Mr. T. Mitchell said that he had hoped tho board would be able to carry on without the extra money. It was apparent,, however, that this was impossible. The board had to face its liabilities and he would support the measure. The increase in rates would hit the farmers just as much as it would the city. The farmers were paying as much in rates as they could afford. Trade Increase Evident. While surveying the whole of the general account estimates, Mr. Gardner explained each item and showed how a reduction in that direction was not possible. There was an increase in revenue from wharfage, storage and ship dues, whill the £2OOO increase in trade was a factor worthy of consideration. If the improvement continued the board might be able to give some relief next year. With the co-ordination of transport, said Mr. Gardner, he believed things would be beteer for the port, which for the past few years has had to compete against serious railway competition. People applauded the railways for cutting into the ports and taking away trade, but these people now had to pay. Mr. Farley: We must consider the ratepayers and in doing so go back . .. Mr. W. Morrison: What’s the use of going back. We must go forward. Past history will never get us anywhere. 1 Mr. Farley then held that the port was gradually slipping and that the board had to face facts. He considered it the board’s duty to see that expenditure was not too great for the amount earned. Ho maintained that the cool stores expenditure was 100 great in this respect. Cold Storage Profits. “The cool store handle between 9000 and 10,000 tons of dairy produce per annum,” said Air. Gardner in reply to Air. Earley. “On the present figures they are showing a profit of £2600. Ever since they first operated they have paid 5| per cent, interest and one per cent, sinking fund. They are paying their way and paying their interest.” Air. J. Patterson: The cool stores are being run on business lines. They are one of the best propositions the board has ever had. They have benefited thousands of farmers and were doing good business until the (Dairy Control Board restricted the areas of supply. The engineer we have got here is one of the best in the Dominion and does not get the wages of a second in command. The chairman said the cool stores were responsible for £7OO in wharfage dues alone. He moved that the estimates be adopted. Air. Farley: There’s no way of reducing them? Mr. W. Morrison: Well, 1 don’t think you have shown us. The chairman added that he was satisfied that the management could not do any more to save expenses. The estimates were adopted.