ST. KILDA COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 21752, 21 June 1934, Page 13

ST. KILDA COUNCIL

INCREASED RATES STRUCK EXPENDITURE OF £11,389 APPROVED Increased rates to cover the larger hospital' and drainage levies recently apportioned were struck by last night’s special meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council, which also approved of the estimated expenditure of £11,380 for the year ending March 31, 1935. Present at the meeting wore the mayor (Mr John Beattie), and Crs H. H. Leary. .1. A. Carman, G. Glue, W. G. Baird,' B. J. B. Griffiths. E. W. Hunter, N. 1). Anderson, A. J).'Edgar, and A". J, Morison. Cr Leary (chairman of the Finance Committee) said that the striking of rates would be a serious consideration. The general rate would require to amount to £5,520 before the maximum Government subsidy of £420, less the fine of 10 per,cent., would be available. If the rates were reduced there would be insufficient capital to obtain the subsidy. The question was: Did the council wish to abandon the subsidy in order to reduce rates? The Town Clerk said that the council must lose something on the subsidy without increasing the rates. The subsidy was reduced in proportion to the general rate. Ho recommended that the following rates he struck (last year’s being included in parentheses) ; —General. 3 23-40 d in "the' , £' (4d); special, 3Ad (1 9-40 d and Jd) ; water, Jcl (1 17-20 d); hospital, 1 59-80(1 (1 13-20 d); drainage,. 4,79-100 d (4 39-80 d). The total increase' would be roughly 2d in the £. Over £IO,OOO Would bo collected trorn tlic borough for the hospital and drainage rates. • “The rates will be higher, but this will be on account of the increase in the hospital and drainage rates,” said Cr Glue. “ The council will not collect a penny move for itself.” By making the general rates 3 23-40(1 and reducing the water rates correspondingly the council would receive the subsidy it had previously obtained, said Cr Edgar. The increase for the hospital and drainage rates would be substantial. Those rates had to bo levied, and therefore the ratepayers position could not he eased, although it did not seem possible that the ratepayers could pay more than they wore doing at present. “ Naturally, receipt of the toll subsidy is desirable, but J. am opposed to any increase in the rates,” declared Cr Carman, who was supported by Crs Anderson and Morison. Cr Leary: St. Kilda belongs to r tepavers. who want us to do certain works in the borough. ...Therefore they must find the money to do the work. The council cannot find the money except from the ratepayers, and if they are not willing to pay they will have to put uii with less work without complaining. Cr Carman moved — That a deci case of id in the general rate he struck. Cr Morison-seconded. ' The Tpwn Clerk reported that such a reduction would' total £4OO. The motion was lost, Cr Anderson supporting the mover and seconder. Cr Glue then moved— ihat the rate# as recommended: by tlic town clerk be struck.” He said , that as there was to be a revaluation of the borough next year the rates ..would then be reduced considerably. ' .(; Seconding the motion, Cr Griffiths urged that the council apply for the full subsidy, ■" ■ . • , : by • ■ The Town* Clerk reported that., the general rate in the past'had heeu sutticient to obtain the full subsidy. . The same would apply this yearn ■ ■ ■ The motion was carried, Crs Carman, Morison, and Anderson having their votes, recorded against it. , j. The town clerk was instructed tc) acJvertise the rates as struck. ESTIMATES REDUCED £BOO. Consideration was then given to the year’s estimates, which, as submitted by ’ the ■ town clerk, amounted to £l2 189, including £5,616 lor ' public works, estimated by the borough iorenian. . . , , In reply to Cr Edgar/the town clerk said that there would be a shortage ot £1.292 if the foreman’s estimate were approved. ' • . , After lengthy discussion it was decided to reduce the imeman’s estimates bv £800; making their total £4,816 and the grand total £11,389. The following works were approved: —Street sealing penetration in .Victoria road (test block ot tfen c,al,is )- Queen’s drive, and Prince Albert road. £1 384; street sealing in Jackson. Douglas, Council, and Bowen streets. £327; footpaths, £691; kerb and channelling in Gilfillnn street, £Jo. . On the motion of Cr Edgar, seconded bv Cr Anderson, the, following -resolution was carried; —“-That the councils bankers bo notified to decline -payment on any interest coupon after July 1, unless (such coupon, he endoisecl. in. accordance with the loans .conversion order.” ■/ '