HUTT COUNTY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 223, 17 June 1944, Page 8

HUTT COUNTY

Chairman’s Annual Survey Ou April 1, 1943, the council commenced the year with a .credit of £92bl, stated the chairman ot the Hutt County Council, Mr. R. L. Button, in his annual report at the first meeting of the newlyelected council yesterday. To this sum was added during the year receipts amounting to £51,341, making a total ot £60,622. The council expended £u2,7<4, leaving a credit balance in all accounts of £7848 at March 31 last. The riding accounts would show a credit of i after the council had received the grant due to.it for damage to >P ili t ar ' y I .A'R?»X S > ■ “In addition to our claim for £2OOO tor military traffic on roads, it must be remembered that the Government has spent many thousands of pounds in the Wellington district on main highways due to military traffic damage,” he proceeded. “In the eases of the Haywards road and the Pahautanui-Plimmerton road the Main Highways Board claimed one-quar-ter of the average ‘maintenance costs, though many thousands of pounds were expended above the usual maintenance expenditure. It was anticipated that no increase would take place in regard to heavy traffic fees, but we actually received £6157 this year as against iu2Bo tor the previous financial .year. “The hospital levy paid last year was £9445 and the amount to be found this year is £10,466. The first quarter’s levy is now due, £2616, and the credit balance in hand is £1675. The actual amount of current rates collected was £1)357 plus arrears of rates, £3BO, making the total collected £9736. I therefore recommend that the hospital rate be the same as last year, and if this is done it is estimated that the credit balance at March 31 next will be £940. “’rhe public debt of the county is now £83,812. and the amount in sinking fund is £4539. Almost all loans will be redeemed in 19 years’ time. Last year £3282 was paid off the. various loans, and this annual payment increases every year while the interest charges decrease. It is to be regretted that the Main Highways Board has not seen fit to relieve the council of the id. rate on the Paremat a bridge, which relief seems to be specially and entirely justified. Doubtless the council will decide to make fur* ther representations.” At the subsequent annual meeting of the council, the chairman welcomed the newly-elected members, Crs. J. D. Barclay‘and A. Hardham, remarking that both should prove all the more helpful at the council table as thej’ jvere farmers. Mr. Button was re-elected chairman, on the motion of Or. J. J. Maher, seconded by Cr. S. Blackley. Cr. Maher said that Mr. Button had devoted a great deal of time to the office during the past year, and had been very fair to the ridings and the staff. Cr. Blncklev said none of the able men who had held the office in the past had made better chairmen that Mr. Button had proved himself to be. Cr. Blackley was re-elected to represent the council on the Free Ambulance, the Counties’ Association, aud the District Highways Council. The chairman and Crs. J. B. Yaldwyn and Blackley were appointed to watch the interests of the council before the Hutt Valley Harbour Commission.