HAMILTON'S RATING

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13488, 19 May 1917, Page 5

HAMILTON'S RATING

INTERVIEW WITH THE MAYOR. In conversation with a representative of the Times this morning regarding the new rate, Hi§ Worship the Major (Mr J. W. Ellis) slated:— "The rates have been increased, and now stand as follows:—Hamilton, 3-13.24 d; Claudelands, 3-7.24 d; Frankton, 2-7.16 d. It has been found necessary, after thee long evenings, with every Councillor present, working on the Estimates, that the general rate must be increased to 2d, Jd of which is to provide for absolutely needed expenditure, and id in reduction of overdraft. This simply had to be done, and should have been more. If we can keep within our estimates this gd should not be wanted after this year, but the estimated expenditure has been cut down hard, and nothing allowed for unexpected expenditure beyond the £IOO under section 28 of the Public Revenues Act. The rates in Hamilton and Claudelands have also been increased by l-6d to provide for new interest charges. Frankton rate has been increased by 11-16 d, but the sanitary fees are abolished, so Frankton's rate remalng about the same as last year.

"The Council started out with a keen intention of cutting down the expenditure, and if they could not lower the rate, at least not to a'ljff it to be exceeded, but the figures were against us. The estimates for expenditure are £2390 less than the money expended last year.

"The estimated receipts in the general account are £15,422, less the £1216 for reduction of overdraft it leaves £14,206. The principal reductions from last year's receipts are £lB7 from Government subsidy (as Hamilton was already getting the maximum subsidy), sanitary fees will be over £SOO less, and the rent from endowments will be about £IOO, while the increases are only small amounts.

"The following have been reduced from last year's expenditure by the sums mentioned: Office salaries (£1312), the amounts in parenthesis being the sums voted, £7l; printing and advertising (£125) £56; office expenses (£202) £52; streets maintenance (£4850) £496; street lighting (£850) £sl; bridges (£150) £279; drainage (£100) £173; inspectors (£200) £66; Marlborough Place ,etc. (£45) £103; plant maintenance (£200) £11; roller expenses (£25) £116; endowments (£4O) £289; Beautifying Society (£500) £111; bands (£75) £293.

"The only increases of any moment are legal expenses (£275) £136; elections and polls (£100) £4O; Hospital Board (£074) £167.

"The Councillors gave close attention to each item of receipts or expenditure, going over thorn all twice, the question of the maintenance of the streets being most carefully gone into, and we were unanimous that it would be false eco lomy to lower this item below £4850, including Frankton.

"It is disappointing that expenditure could not be kept lower, and that the rat s had to be increased; the Council are determined that the estimates shall not be exceeded, and are hoping to make savings in other directions, and anyhow Hamilton is still one of the lowest rated.boroughs in the Dominion. As a comparison, a man who paid £lO in rates last vear will this vear pav £ll 16; 3d.

"A drainage rate of l-6th and l-3rd of a penny in the £ was struck over the Frankton drainage district."