WORK IN THE COUNTY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 76, 29 May 1945, Page 5

WORK IN THE COUNTY

CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REVIEW MR J. L. BURNETT RE-ELECTED An interesting and informative review of the operations of the County Council over the past twelve mouths was given by the retiring chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, at the annual meeting held at noon last Tuesday. Mr Burnett said that the year just closed had been an intensely busy one, but ,he could assure members that 1945 would also give them plenty to think about. The finances, of the Council, he said were still good, and after meeting £4500 for 'fiood damage there was still a balance of £15 000. This sum was a safeguard to offset the cost of purchasing equipment after the war which it had not been possible to procure during the past live years. The rate collection had been excellent. No less than 98 per cent, of the European rate had been collected and 60 per cent, of the Native rate. Only £480 of the rates remained outstanding at the. end of the year. The public debt had been reduced by £5000, which left the outstanding amount at £68 000. Mr Burnett said that twenty years ago the same rate as was struck today had been levied—the only increase made being in connection with the Hospital Rate. This rate would this year demand 2 3-8 d in the. £ as the levy now stood at £9570, an increase of £2500 on last year's figure. If it had not been for a vascillating Government, he said, something would have been done long ago to relieve the position. He warned that expenses during the coming year were not likely to decrease. Wages were continually going up, and no less than £15,000 had been paid out in this connection during the year. On this sum holiday and wet weather pay alone amounted to no less than £1000. He concluded by expressing his appreciation of the co-operation of the Council members the staff both in--9 J side and outside. Cr McCrac'ken congratulated Mr Burnett on his report, and paid a warm tribute, to his ability and efficiency as chairman during a very difficult year. The chairman's honorarium was fixed the same a& last year £100 plus travelling expenses. No changes were made in the personnel of the Finance or Works Committee, which will meet on the same days as in the past. On the motion of Cr McCracken, Mr J. L. Burnett was unanimously re-elected chairman.