CITY FINANCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2894, 5 October 1916, Page 6

CITY FINANCE

/•- ■ fl . i-. INCREASE TRAMWAYS' EXPENSES STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR A statement as to tho finances of tho city was made- by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) yesterday. , To show that tho city is keeping up practically to normal conditions in regard to its finances, tho Mayor niado a fow observations based on tho latest corporation returns. His Worship said that, to start with, tho position as regards tho rates was very satisfactory. In rates, rents, and water "by motor tho money collected by September IS of this year was greater than tho amounts collected at the like period of 1916. The figures were: — . Sept., 1915. Sept., 1916 £ '• £ Ralos '. 42,893 58,744 Rent 15,080 16,805 AVater by meter 6,604 7,431 .. The accounts in connection with tho electric lighting enterprise' of the corporation are in a particularly healthy condition, and all seems well in regard to the extension of tho department's operations. In fact, tho condition of this department is highly encouraging, and, given the opportunity of obtaining material at anything liica normal prices, rapid strides would bo made. "The citizens can be congratulated," tiio Mayor said, "on the sound position of this department." The trains show a bettor state of affairs than thoy did in August, when there was a deficit. Moreover, the surplus of September, 1916, was greater than tho surplus of September, 1915, the amounts being £590 and £532. Tho worst part of the year, from fhe point of view of tho tramways treasury, has now been left behind, and even better returns are looked for from now on tiil tho end of the financial poriod. A feature of tho tramways balance-sheet this year is tho increase in expenditure on labour and material. \s, nearly half tho financial year lias expired, Mr.. Luke was asked what the tramways position was up to date. Ho said that in the twenty-four weeks now past (as compared with tho similar period last year) tho tramways showed a not increase in. working expenses of £11,702, which he reckoned was a large sum. Out of the.' £11,702, about £3500 extra was set down in wages. This means that wages are higher than they were last year (there is a +.crtjper cent, war bonus), and the number of men employed is greater, because more car miles are being Tun. The amount for overhead equipment lias gone up by £1220, and for cars there is the sum of £2000 extra. ■ Of course, all equipment has increased inprice. Still another increaso was mentioned—against the item coal £2000 extra ,was shown. /