INCREASE NECESSARY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20843, 29 June 1939, Page 6

INCREASE NECESSARY

REVIEW BY MAYOR CREDIT BALANCES DROP FURTHER AMENITIES DEMANDED “ 'ln moving that the council now confirm the decisions arrived at in committee on June 26. I propose to briefly review the position disclosed in the estimates,” said the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, at the meeting last evening. “ The general and special rates are ii. 3 per cent higher in Hamilton. 11.•> per cent higher in Claudelands, 10.2 per cent higher in Frankton, 7.7 per cent higher in Maeroa, 9.2 per cent higher in the Richmond Area, and at the new level we anticipate they will produce in all a total of £58.140 or £5016 more than last year. The water charges remain the same, and the refuse charge

is 6s per service greater at 19s,

” The necessity for these increases lies largely in the fact that over the last few years while costs have risen considerably our rates have not been increased proportionately, with the result that our credit balances in the general account, which from 1934 to 1938 dropped steadily from £4903 to £7BB. and at March 31, 1939, were showing a debit of £3OOI. Coupled with this there is a demand in certain directions for higher standards ol' maintenance and the like. Against this year's debit we show an amount of £3688, which it is estimated will be recovered because of expenditure in previous years. This, however, but modifies the position—the fact remains we have gone back some £4400 in the short space of 5 years.

Demands Pressing and Justified “ The future, to a large extent, depends upon the fate of the streets loan proposals which we hope to place before the ratepayers in the course of the next few months,” added the Mayor. “ The increasing demands for improved access, which are inseparable from the progress the town has made over the last few years, are so pressing, and moreover, so justified, that money to meet them must be obtained, whether it comes from loans or from further increased rates.

“ In the meantime, pending the submission of the loan proposals, we have budgeted for a revenue, which, if costs are stabilised, will enable us to consolidate our finances. “ Dealing in detail with items on the expenditure side, it is first of all of interest to note that of our total general rate of 4id in the pound no less a sum than £11,090, or the proceeds of a rate of approximately l.li-15d, goes to meet Hospital and Fire Board levies, charges on the road through the Waipa and Raglan Counties to Raglan, part maintenance and lighting charges on the Fairfield Bridge, anc( for street lights in Maeroa and the Richmond areas. In three years these expenses have increased by £4OBB or 54 per cent, to-day’s figures being £2620 higher than 12 months ago. Of this, the Hospital and Fire Board account for the bulk and together amount to the product of a rate slightly in excess of l|d. The Raglan road item is now carrying the full interest charge but as the loan work has not yet been completed maintenance is still fairly heavy. We may expect some slight relief next year. Assistance for Libraries “ The traffic Hems show an Increase of £516 three years, this year’s figure accounting for £361,” said the Mayor. ” This is due to increased markings and signs, part cost of a new bus shelter shed near the post office, more cycle racks, a short charge, last year on car depreciation, and sundry replacements, which did not affect last year's figures. “ In the payments to other more or less independent bodies, the Centennial accounts foe an increase of £SOO in the total. This is the first instalment of £IOOO the council proposes to find toward the cost of celebrations and a memorial. The library committees have both lelt the necessity for improved accommodation and extra financial .assistance. in the meantime we cannot promise anything in tlie way of new buildings or additions, but we are endeavouring to obtain the expert advice and assistance of Mr James Barr, the Chief Librarian at Auckland, and the question of placing further funds at the disposal of these committees is to stand over pending his report.

" The borough engineer's total for maintenance is £675 less than his estimate last year aifU £2328 less than was actually spent on the corresponding items," continued Mr Caro. ** The delay which has taken place in getting our loans before the people is unfortunately prejudicing our chances of realising these estimates, particularly iu the case ol' sewer drainage, which has been cut by £SUU in the hope that extensions this year would be financed from loans. The item traffic bridge is up by £285 to enable re-painting of tile arch to be commenced in tiie autumn. Ol' the £7OO for holiday pay and wet time, £SOO previously came from the streets maintenance allocation and the balance from other sources. The item does not represent any increase over the previous year’s expenditure. it has -been provided lor separately primarily to a\oi l book-keeping and the distortion ol costing figures. Utilisation of Garden Place Spoil “ The £350 transfer to the cemetery account is to provide for new

plant and the wages and incidental expenses incurred in a certain amount of beautifying and improvement work there. “ For permanent works £7OOO is being provided from the electricity account and of this £I3OO has already been allocate*! to meet the cost of using spoil from Carden Place to improve the Domain Drive, fill in depressions in the roads in the Richmond Estate, rubbish dumps in Richmond Street, part of the Norton Hoad sandpit, and an embankment in Marire Street. The balance of £5700 will be used by the works committee to extend the length of sealed streets, footways, or for other permanent work. “On the receipts side, heavy traffic licenses have been placed at £327 less than last year, due partly to the fact that some vehicles licensed here previously have gone elsewhere and partly owing to the uncertainty relating to the amount which will accrue from the pool owing to the fact that two of the counties are not requiring farmers to take out licenses for their trucks,” said Mr Caro. “ Sale of land at £4uo represents the sum paid for improvements on a property in Victoria Street North. * BuildlAg and sewer connection fees vary with the amount ol' new construction, but increases in fees will to an extent be countered by increased expenses. Endowment rents depend largely upon collections and arrears at £2OO less lhan last year will be difficult to maintain at their present figure. " Over the years the Frankton Hall rents vary considerably and present indications point to a drop. If it becomes necessary to close the premises lor extensive repairs the estimate will not l»e reached. The work required will be financed when the time arrives from the municipal building account. It cannot be much longer delayed. The petrol tax is allocated partly to the general account and partly to the 11am-ilton-Frankton-Claudelands interest account, t/he amount credited to each varying from year to year with the alterations in the sums spent in rnainlaining the continuations of main highways in the borough and with the changes in the balances available :u the interest account. Additional Water Reticulation “ The estimates &how an unallocated balance of £1645,” added the Mayor. “ Some of this may be used for library purposes, but the council is aiming at keeping the bulk of it intact for use in an emergency. if 6uch does not arise it will be carried forward to help the position next year. “ In the waterworks department It has been necessary to provide for the permanent reticulation of the new streets being provided as a result of the Garden Place scheme, amounting in all to about £ISOO. Fortunately, other necessary main extensions are not heavy and no difficulty has been experienced in providing tor these extensions out of revenue. Extensive additions to the reticulation are being planned by the Waipa County Council to embrace the Melville, Everton and Norton Road areas, and the effect of these together with the iiaryos Paddock development and building activity generally will no doubt result in materially increased consumption. No difficulty should be experienced in financing from revenue the extensions necessary to meet these demands if the present rate is maintained. “ The refuse collection charge has unfortunately been materially increased.” added Mr Caro. " Last year’s receipts, despite the fact that arrears produced £42 more lhan previously and the total outstanding it now lower than ever before, did not meet expenses and to balance the position an additional 9d should have been collected. This year a new contract has been made involving a further additional payment of 4s lOd per collection. and 11iq» extra 5d is wrapped up in the lesser sum available from arrears. Only half-the inspector's salary is now being allocated to this account Complaints Reduced to Minimum “ Though many difficulties occurred during April and the early part of May when the change-over was made the new rontractor has now reduced complaints to a minimum and considerably relieved the work of the inspectors and tiie staff who found it impossible to induce the previous contractor to see that the work was performed in a proper manuer

” Though we all regret the necessity for the increased rates, it is fully realised by the council and will, 1 think, also be apparent to the man in the street, that we have little option in the matter,” concluded the Mayor. ” The town of Hamilton is growing fast, the people are looking for improvements we are here to do what we can to meet their reasonable requirements. To do what is demanded costs money, and ultimately that must come from the people themselves. We are doing what we can to meet the position and to ease tho burden ”