D.—7

4

In regard to the suggested method of subsidizing rates, it is found that counties whose rates are low will receive less, while those whose rates are high will receive more than under the present system. Nevertheless, for the whole Dominion it is anticipated that the increase over the present total of £150,000 or thereabouts will not amount to more than £20,000 annually. By this suggested system it is anticipated that the tendency will be to form larger counties with higher standards of organization, and to stimulate progressive counties to still further efforts in the development of their districts and in the improvement of their roads. Under the proposed Main Roads Bill it would appear that certain counties will be relieved of the maintenance of varying lengths of main roads, and consequently will be in a better position to deal with their remaining roads, while other counties (who will not be similarly relieved) are in positions that equally require financial relief. It is suggested that in order to obviate this apparent inequityall counties who are relieved of maintenance of portions taken over in terms of the Main Roads Bill shall contribute 50 per cent, of the average annual maintenance-costs of the portions so taken over, such average cost being computed from the annual costs of the three years immediately preceding the taking-over, and the Government shall have power to collect this contribution by deduction from the proposed subsidy on rates. G. T. Murray, Inspecting Engineer, Wellington. H. H. Sharp, Staff Engineer, Wellington. T. M. Ball, District Engineer, Stratford.

Schedule showing Financial Position of Counties affected by Recommendations.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing 550 copies (including map), £20.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—1921.

Price 9d.\

County. Area. Date Amount of of Valuation. Valuation. System of Rating. Loan Charges. .Average General Rate on Capital - value .Basis. Amount collectable. Government Subsidy, 1920. Government Subsidy now suggested. Difference. *" O rf 31^ j sq. m. Clifton ..I 570 Egmont .. I 197 Eltham .. I 201 Hawera .. I 195 Inglewood .. I 156 Stratford .. j 368 Taranaki .. ] 239 Waimate West 88 Waitotara .. 476 Wanganui .. 472 £ 864,014 1911 ( 1,711,464 1914 1,914,187 1914 4,294,250 1919 467,348 1920 I Capital val Unimprove vn.lnp £ 1,239 3,356 5,200 3,661 1,447 £ 2-37 2-41 1-84 1-35 2-50 £ 8,508 17,252 14,668 24,174 9,736 £ 650 1,000 1,800 2,341 250 £ 1,680 3,465 2,249 2,720 2,028 £ + 1,030 +2,465 +449 + 379 + 1,778 £ 1,350 1911 1914 1914 1919 1920 Capital value >» >t 2,502 2,066 Unimproved value Ditto 2,069,867 1920 I 816,629 1913 2,086,100 1920 t 2,515,951 1916 2,823,127 1916 1920 1913 1920 1916 1916 value Ditto Capita] val 7,215 3,055 3,589 770 2,842 1-31 2-80 1-46 1-25 1-72 17,804 16,144 12,680 13,104 20,213 1,552 998 1,049 1,950 2,037 1,944 3,707 1,543 1,305 2,897 + 392 + 2,769 + 494 -585 +860 2,368 1,704 Capital value ,, Totals 43,027 23,658 + 10,031 9,990