FIRE BOARD LEVY ON CITY COUNCIL TO BE REDUCED THIS YEAR

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1949, Page 4

FIRE BOARD LEVY ON CITY COUNCIL TO BE REDUCED THIS YEAR

Estimates adopted by the Wanganui Fire Board at its annual meeting yesterday provide for the levy on the Wanganui City Council being reduced from £B9OO last year to £8350 for the current financial year. The reduction is due in part to tile board having begun 1949-50 with a credit balance, and to lower expenditure last year.

The chairman, Mr. G. P. Hawkins, said that he had hoped that the reduction in the levy would have been greater, but provision had to be made lor the firemen’s superannuation scheme, which would come into operation in July, and for the wage increase likely to follow the recent decision of the Court of Arbitration. For each of these items, £5OO had been allowed. The secretary, Mr. G. Murch, said that even so, the board had reduced the total levy on insurance companies and the City Council by £llOO, compared with last year. Expenditure for the year ended March 31 last, totalled £17,650 12s lOd, which was £349 7s 2d less than the estimated amount of £lB,OOO. Estimates for the current year provide for an expenditure of £16,800. x Last year, the total levy was £17,900, which was made up of an equal contribution of £B9OO by insurance companies and the City Council and a Government subsidy of £lOO. Of the £16,800 required this year, the City Council will find £8350 and the insurance companies a similar amount. The Government subsidy of £lOO remains unchanged. The board’s debit balance at April 1, 1948, was £693, but the credit balance at the start of the current financial year was £569. Principal items of expenditure last year, with the amount estimated for the current year in parentheses, were: Salaries, £2365 (£2400); wages, permanent staff. £6747 (£6800), auxiliaries, £566 (£700); insurances, £352 (£300); repairs and maintenance of uniforms, £lBl (£275); of buildings, £123 (£100); of fire alarm system, £129 (£120); of fire engines, £2lO (£150); additions and alterations to buildings, £643 (—); lighting and heating, £397 (£400); benzine and oils, £257 (£250).