VERY SATISFACTORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 297, 23 April 1941, Page 5

VERY SATISFACTORY

MAYOR REVIEWS YEAR

EXCELLENT RATE COLLECTION

"I consider that we have every reason to be pleased with this year's balance sheet," stated Mr B. S. Barry, Mayor of Whakatane, when addressing the Council on Monday night. "The accounts are very satisfactory indeed, and the only criticism that could be levelled is that we are carrying a credit balance which is too large."

'Referring to the credit His Worship stated that this had been brought about firstly by the remarkable rate collection, which represented 98 per cent of the amount for which demands were sent. The second factor was that the Government had recently "come to light" with two year's rates on. the whole of the State Houses in the town, while t'hei third factor was that the council had carried forward a fair credit from last year.

"This credit has not been created by the neglect of essential works in the town as can be seep by the balance sheet," lie said, pointing out that on streets drains and!' general maintenance work £300 more than last year's total had been spent. On Government roads £2000 had been expended, and although the council had not had to foot the bill, its foreman had had to do the work. At this stage he said that the fact that the foreman, with the small staff at his disposal,, had completed over £5000 worth, of work during the year was an accomplishment deserving of credit.

The Council, added Mr Barry, was approaching the election with the town's finance on a sound footing and much credit was due to the clerk, Mr Saunders, for his excellent handling of the loan conversion.

"The past year has marked a stage of active progress and development generally within the borough," commented His Worship, stating that the Headts and Pah had been brought Avithin tha boundaries. Roads had been built in Avondalle area, Sullivan's block, and the council had at hand the matters of a rubbish dump and the abattoirs. Town planning had been studied carefully and Avas a matter Avhich Avould be carefully watched. The pumping equipment for the water supply Avas on. the way.

The council had, in spit© of having been engaged on road work for the Government for a great time, done a good deal of capital work also. The new Borough depot was an asset, while a good deal of road sealing and kerbing and chanelling had been accomplished. "Mir Henderson is to be sincerely congratulated on the amount of work ha has done with so little help available," said the Mayor, concluding with the remarks that the year had been satisfactory from both a financial viewpoint and regarding the amount of work carried out and the general progress made.