CHRISTCHURCH CITY FINANCES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 273, 12 August 1920, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH CITY FINANCES

PEOPLE RATED "RIGHT UP TO THE HILT." Hy Telegraph—l'ress Association. Christchurcb, August 10. At a special meeting of tile Citv Council to consider the estimates for tre year, tho chairman of the Finance Committee said that during the year the council would be compelled to increase the rates over the city as a whole by .€16,078, made up as followslncrease in the general rate, bringing the rate up to tho maximum, .CSB33; increase in the hospital and charitable aid rate, <£4271; increase in water rates, ,{2552; increase in sanitation fees, ,£lO2l. In that, connection it was rather interesting to notice how the overdraft of the city had grown during tho last few years. At the ciul of March, 1018, the overdraft was -£37,750; in March, 1919, .£38,943 ; March, 1920, .£57,3221 Marolii 1921, .005,308. It was also interesting to notice how llie deficit had been built lyp. On' the general account for 1917-18 the' wages paid by the city in all its departments was .£28,394. In' 1918-1!) tbe total was .£33,590, and in 1919-20 J!43,<55. That largely explained why the overdraft had been increased. It had been increased through tho increased wages the city bad to pay, and also through increased cost of materials. In addition, there was the war pay, which should be added to the total amount paid in wages.- In spito of all the economy the committee had endeavoured to institute, the overdraft this year would go up over &8000. The council was now rating the peoplo right up to the hilt, and it showed the necessity, m all departments of tho council's service, of the utmost economy, also that tho council should ondeavour to get out of their activities the fullest efficiency.