PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 111, 14 May 1942, Page 6

PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT. Heavy increase in costs and large items in r.on-recurring expenditure in various accounts had imposed a heavy burden on revenue, but he v. 36 pleased to report that the net debit balan-.-e resulted in the statement of account.-; at March 31. was £204 15s 8d less than at the same date in 1941. stated the town clerk (Mr. B. O- Camby) at the monthly meeting of the Patea Borough Council'. The usual valuation for the borough for rating purposes was made during January and only two objections were lodged at the Assessment Court. The final total proved to be £690 greater than last year, •lue to the erection of State houses. Phe increase between 1933 ande 1942 valuations was £6522 and represented additional revenue by ways of rate of £1360 per annum. The general account opened the year with a debit balance of £3OX 17s 7d and closed v.ilh one of £498 10s Id. Had the full amount of the balance in the electric light account been transferred to the general account, as in previous yeart», this balance would have been reduced bv the sum ui £3OO, being the annual amount the council resolved to invest in the capital reserve fund for the department as from April 1, 1941. The position of the water draining account bad not improved during the last 12 months, the dab.it balance having increased from £539 us lid to £865 0s 4d. This increase was mainly accounted for by new connections and extentions at the cost of £l7B 13s lid, and a new compressor at £122 5s 6d. The pumping charges were considerably higher than previous >eaiM charges and the by-law provisions regarding the wastage of water be most strictly enforced. In the electricity department, while the gross saies of current were oniy £3 in excess of those of 1940-41, a further sharp increase in profit had been recorded Io the year, being the greatest since the commencement of the undertaking. In view of th« increase expenditure to lie met during 1942-43 by way of greatly increased hospital ami fire protection levies the statement of annual balances at March 31 indicated a very cautious policy the council would have to follow during the current year. In December last, approximately two years after the adoptoin <4 the free library service, tne council passed the control of it« library to a citizens’ committee. The provisions of the deed vesting the control in the new committee provide that the three members of the council's library committee shall be members of the citizens’ committee and that the town clerk shall be secretary to that committee. The membership, taking into account the present times, had proved satisfactory and the committee was gradually restoring the library to the position it Once Town Hall lease discussions were continued during the year, and finality had been leached. The only question now outstanding was the fixing of the rental which was the subject of arbitration. 'ihe request of the council to the Municipal Association to conduct a test case to ascertain the council’s right to let its hall by public tender for tne showing of pictures was agreed to by the association, but unfortunately the associations decision was only recently communicate 1 to the council and at a time when it wab not considerci opportune to proceed with the case. This matter will no doubt be reviewed before tne expiration of the new lease and when conditions are more favourable for its prosecu-