TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1921, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[bv TELEGRAPH—?ER PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON’S OVERDRAFT. PROPOSED INCREASE IN RATES. WELLINGTON, June 22 The new Mayor of AVellington (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.) says he is determined that the city must live within its revenue. At one time every borough had to do so, but later there was a relaxation of the law, with the result that many spent more than their income which he thought was wrong in* principle. Mr Wright went on to say that there was a debit of £40,000 on the last year’s working. That was accounted for by tho fact that with fixed rates, the city’s revenue was not elastic;, whilst on the other hand the expenditure had increased steadily with the cost of living, chiefly through increases in salaries and wages. In the case of general labourers the wages paid were 65 per cent more than in 1914, and drivers’ wages (including tramway men) had increased from 70 to 85 per cent. In all the other departments the advance in salaries ranged from 40 to 50 per cent. In 1914 the City Council was paying 22s 3d a ton for the best of coal; now the price was about 43s a ton for coal of varying quality. The result was that the city’s finances had gone backward. There were also wains done out of revenue which were properly capital works. That explained why some works that were promised or practically promised had not been carried out.

To-day ratepayers received an unusual shock, when it was stated, apparently authoritatively, that the Finance Committee of the Council will recommend a thirty per cent increase in the rates. The proposal will not be passed without protest, for several councillors are strongly opposed to such a largo increase, especially in times of financial stress. FIRE AT ARTHUR’S PASS. FOUR .MEN INJURED. CHRISTCHURCH, June 22 Through a fire in a railway employee’s house at Arthur’s Pass last evening four men were injured, though to what extent and how they came to bo hurt could not be ascertained. A special train was despatched to the Pass to bring the men in to the Christchurch Hospital, and was due hack at 5 o’clock this morning. FREIGHT RATES. DUNEDIN. June 22. Advice received in Dunedin to-day states that there is no truth in the statement made last week that the Canadian Government line of steamers was making a considerable reduction in freight rates. The advice to band states tiiat freight rates between London and American ports are to remain as at present.