KARORI BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 175, 19 April 1919, Page 12

KARORI BOROUGH AFFAIRS

THE MAYOR'S REPLY TO CRITICISM Tho Mayor of Karori .(Mr. B. G. JI. Burn) made a vigorous reply at a public meeting lwhl in the Council Chambers on Thursday evening lo the criticisms recently levelled at the Mayor and council.

It was stated at that, meeting that Karori was Hie smallest borough in the Dominion, and Mr. Burn pointed out that this was not correct. There were 116 boroughs in the Dominion, mid 78 of them had a smaller area than Karori. Karori contained an area of U2lO acres and a population, according to tho census of 1916, of 10i7. There wore 13 boroughs with a smaller population than Karori. The capital value of Karori in 1917 was and there were 71 boroughs with less capital value. In 1917 Karori possessed 353 dwellings, and there were 37 boroughs with fewer dwellings. Ka.rori possessed 20 miles of formed streets, 10 miles of footpath, and 8i miles of concrete kerbing, and channel; ing. So that the statement that Karori was not much-more than a cow farm, as one speaker said at the recent public meeting, was grossly inaccurate. Mr. Burn then <lealt with the finances of the liorough, and pointed out that the total revenue on all accounts was ,£15,811 19s. Id., and the expenditure amounted to ,£16,778 16s. lid., showing a debit balance of <6966 17s. lOd. The assets, cash in hand, etc., totalled .£ll4-8 ss. 9d., and deducting from this the debit balance of ,<£966 17s. 10(1., there remained a credit balance of ,£lßl 7s. lid. On the general account the revenue was for I lie past financial year ,£5686 10s., and the expenditure totalled d£6329 125., showing a debit balance of ,£643 2s. The No. 1 tramway account (separate account) showed receipts ,£5827 10d., sale of materials i! 3 15s. 10d„ and there was brought forward ,£1761 10s. 10d., making a total of 417592 17s. 6d. The expenditure amounted to ,£6196 18s. 10d., showing a balance of .£1395 18s. Bd. The accrued sinking funds on March 31, 1918, amounted to ,£16,489 lis. 2d., and on March 31, 1919, they amounted to ,£17,850 13s. Bd. The total car mileago/ run was 110,284 miles, and tho receipts totalled ,£6145 9s. 7d. Tlie expenditure on borough public works was also referred to by Mr. Burn, who said that the expenditure on street maintenance and improvements during the past two years waa i'2lGO, nutwejlaneous works cost =£621, the Park cost .£"95. During the two years <14 minding permits were granted, the value o. the buildings bein» ,£9925. Ho contended that the berough was not going Laelr but was going forward, and the council had dono its best for the residents. iVitll respect to amalgamation, Mr. Burn gave tho history of the efforts made to approach the City Council on this question aud showed that tho delay was due to the City Council, and not throug.l any fault of the borough. He <Mr. Burn) was in favour of amalgamation; lie', however, wanted amalgamation oil terms, but if' the terms could not be obtained wore tho residents m lavour flf amalgamation unconditionally? In any event the matter would have to be submitted to tho ratepayers for their ap''cficillor W. Sktffi, who is a,candidate for the Mayoralty, also spoke, lie said ho was indebted to the Major ioi the privilege of addressing them. Ho was in favour of amalgamation, and lie thought the matter had not been attacked as vigorously as it should be. He wanted amalgamation, but be to go iu on some equitable terms. J.he borough had some valuable assets, and these could not foo surrtin'luicu vitlicut gome quid pro quo.