COUNTY FINANCES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2113, 22 June 1907, Page 4

COUNTY FINANCES.

PROPOSED NEW RATING SYSTEM.

HUMORS OF ANOTHER RIDING.

When the subjoct of tlio annual rate was ■ mentioned at tlio Cook County Council yestorday, Cr. \V. Lysnar procoodod to roviow tlio wliolo question with a view to udvocating a more equitable system. Ho puoted the rates received and spent in the various ridings, holding that it was unfair for a uniform rate to be struck when tlio requirements of the ridings varied so materially. tie claimed that tlio Waikohu Riding, which lio represented, should only uo rated at half, which would still provide £4OOO as its share next year. Tlio Chairman and Cr. Matthews maintained that tlio prosont system was the fairest i„ older to nllacato the money where it was most roouirod. Otlier methods had boon discussed, and tlio presont one retained as the most convomont and designated tlio proposal to differentiate as ‘ paroclual--IS*The matter was deforred till after the luncheon adjournment, when Or. Lvsnar returned to the attack. ‘Cr. Matthews suggested that further discussion should bo loft over until next mooting, as several members wero absent. . .. Tlio Chairman said discussion would not be waste of time, as tlio subject would bear plonty of threshing out. Cr Lysnar maintained that eaoli riding should got its proper quota of revenue for its own needs. Cr. Matthews had contended that one rato should be levied over the whole countv, but the Act laid it down beyond all question that a separate rate should be struck for ouch riding in accordance with tlioir respective, requirements. Another question raised by Cr. Mattliows was that the Waikoim Riding was too big. That was beside the question—so long as tho income was fairly dealt with that made no difference. Wmkolni was contributing within £4G7 of one-tlnrd of the Council’s revenue, whilst it had not been given anything liko that proportion of money for its requirements. Considering the present credit balance, ho claimed that the riding should only bo called upon to pay a half-penny rate. Whilst the Act did not specifically provide for it. tho Couneil could strain a point and rate each, riding according to its finances, and make them contribute to the arterial roads running through tlioir neighbors’ boundaries. They dil not want parochialism, but they wanted fairness, and not to see portion of the money raised in ono ruling being allocated to another. Ho regretted that tlie matter did not come up at a fuller meeting. Ho was not responsible for bringing tho matter up, but his principal reason for entering the Council was to soo some system adopted in regard to finances. A system should be initiated and rigidlv followed. He was tired of seeing his riding treated in tho way. .it had been. He would like to see all members elected to tlio Council pledged to carryout the principles of the Act. ' He denied that there n* as anything in the nature of electioneering about tlio matter. He desired to see matters adjustod on an automatic basis, instead of having squabbling at tlio Council table over the allocation of moneys. . With a system such as he desired it would come to a question of, “Is your riding in credit?” If funds were overdrawn special works could only be undertaken by means of striking a rate for a special purpose. Tile machinery of the Act was as perfect as it could possibly be, providing as it did for all contingencies. There would be no difficulty under differential rating. The accounts had been kept in an extremely satisfactory condition, and he wished to compliment tho County Clerk upon his good work. If more work wore entailed it was an easv thing to appoint an extra clerk in the office. The essential thing was to keep the separate riding accounts in order. In tlie past the Council had infringed the provisions of tlie Act in respect to rating, no doubt unintentionally. Cr. Matthews: We know the position. The question has been discussed several times.

Cit. IF. Lysnar: I was not aware the Act was being infringed. Cr. W. D. Lysnar was sorry the Council had done it with a full knowledge. Last year, he continued. Waikohu should .have had a reduced rate, as the account wbb in credit. If a riding’s account were overdrawn it was best to face the position. Gisborne had overdrawn £4BOO as against an annual revenue of £IBSB, so would take two and a. half years on the basis of a nenny rate to liquidate the debt. He did not propose that tho Council should be unduly harsh at first—matters should he adjusted as soon as possible. He suggested that a return be' prepared showing what rates would be required to wipe out the'respective liabilities Tho position was that unless alteration were made Waikoliu might consider the formation of a new riding. Cr. Matthews said he understood steps were already on foot for this purpose. The whole question raised by Cr. Lysnar had been gone into most carefully in previous years, and the feeling was practically unanimous to continue as thev were, and that the whole Council would receive greater benefits. He denied the imputation of squabbling. He did not remember one occasion when there was squabbling over the expenditure; on the contrary councillors had done their best to help each other. If a work were necessary it was granted irrespective of tlio riding. He quite agreed with the Chairman that to carry the separate accounts system to its logical conclusion, every man living on a certain road would want all the money lie paid in rates spent in front of his own door. Cr. Lysnar: A separate account for each road is a very simple matter. Cr. Matthews did, not see after paying administration that there would be much left for each road under such a system. How would it work? For instance, the settlers of tho Motu used the whole of the roads leading into Gisborne. The far-back people had never paid for this extra use of the roads. Cr. Lysnar: You collared £4OOO of other ridings’ money. Cr. Matthews: That is a mere bagatelle when the roads have to be kept in order. Tlie ridings close to town had never had tho amount of money they deserved, considering tlie extra expenditure on maintenance. A councillor just coming in could only have a superficial knowledge of these matters, and if ho were to go around upsetting all that, had been done by previous councillors after careful consideration, there would bo endless turmoil. Cr. Lysnar: You will have turmoil if you spend other people’s money. , ■ Tim .Chairman said that this was not a new subject. There were many other considerations than those merely of debit and credit —they had . to go further back to gat at the merits of the question. It must be remembered that for years the, outer ridings contributed nothing towards those roads which were necessary to open up the place. Under the old Poverty Bay Highway Board Gisborne had been rated to the utmost limit to provide roads and lay the foundations for connections with tho outside districts. It was not just and right to rate the people who only used five miles of road (arid who used tlie railways which saved the roads) more than those who utilised fifty miles of roads in and out. But for such outside traffic Gisborne Riding would have very little to pay in maintenance. The more the matter was gone into tho better, and he was sure the wisdom of leaving matters as thev wero would Be recognised. Cr. 'Matthews said that this phaso must be taken into consideration. Cr. Lysnar: If there were no settlers those days then they did not use your roads. ... The Chairman: We had settlers, but the- did not pay a copper, and the natives have never paid anythCrg Lysnar: Other Councils find the system I advocate works well. Captain Tucker: In some places the Government made the roads and handed them over, hut we have had to do all the work ourselves. ~ After some discussion as to who made the greater use of the roads, Cr. Lysnar proceeded to draw up a resolution. . . , ~ Tho Clerk, appoaled to regarding rates, said that, to get the subsidy there must be £SOO rates raised in each road district. A half-penny rate all round would produce £9200. , . Cr. Lysnar (after an explanation as to how subsidies were paid ,on road districts): These road districts should be knocked on the head v In two years, I understand, only £csooo was received and expended by thirteen Road Boards. ‘ ; The Chairman: That is the, very principle you are advocating(laughter)—the principle that brought Road Boards into existence. Cr. Matthews: You null have tho place cut up into twenty ridings. That is what it will end in. Cr. Lysnar altered his , notice of motion to read: “That instead of striking a general rate over tho whole County of Id in the £ as hitherto, that a general rate sufficient to secure tho full Government subsidy, and to provide for the Charitable Aid and general' administra-

tion, and that the balance of rates required shall bo lovied’separately in each riding in accordance with tho expenditure and indebtedness of each riding.'!’ ; Cr. Matthews' suggested a notico of motion that would cover tho whole ground—“So as not to be continually wasting time.” Cr. Lysnar said a half-'ponny would bo sufficient fo*. tlio/ Waikohu Riding. Cr. Mattliows: A farthing would do if you don’t want roads.

Cr. Lysnar: Wo do . want roads, out of our own rates; tlibu'gh. , i As to* the proposition” ro ; arterial * roads, Cr. Lyspar thought > then;En-. ! gineer should furnish un estimate of cost of maintenance per, mile. Cr. MiittheSvs : With"‘metal' depots to be done away w© will lioed to put moro metal on. A “skin” should- bo put on instead of only filling holes.. Cr. Lysnar queried wliothor with a deploted reYehue the tithe was opportune, for this expenditure. ; He gave two separate’ notices of motion to rescind tho assistance promised towards the Pakarae and Waimata bridges. The meeting then terminated.