WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1922, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21th

1 TREASURER'S REPORT. | 'lilt' following if port was read at ibis | afle.i noon’s silting ol tin* Westland . ' (unity Council: Regarding the .year’s estimates and the allocation of surplus revenue lor the Hiding Accounts, the Council is still without the details lor the new valuation. The preparation of the rolls has occupied an unusually loupe period, . hut the Hon Minister promises the data | will he available for the striking ot the , rate at the next ordinary meeting in [ July. Jn these eircumstauees il is pos- 1 sillle only lo work on the estimates ol , the nett rateable value. All increase • may be expected in the total, bul j. against that the ‘Council has notv to, take notice of the laical llodies J‘ iliance! Act passed last session. The provisions j : are more far-reaching than appeared on . the surface. The Council is taking steps to provide for the antecedent j liability representing the overdratt at j the lllst March, hi nildition every local j ■ authority is required to provide tor the | ordinary expenditure of any year out t ! of revenue for that year, so that the . hank overdraft may not he carried for- i I ward from year to year. In a district ; l such as this it is net possible to csti- . mate satislaet.n il.v on lines to comply i with Hie provision rolorrcd to. Revenue j from such sources as gold fields, royalties etc., vary from period to period, and it is Hot unlikely many local bodies : ' will I:ml it impossiM-• -at the end ol i each Jina.iicial year to comply strictly to the let tor of the law. The first salo,r„ard rerntiros to he taken by assuring • that the rate revenue is at least a farthing higher than it might be umh r the old eondilioiis. Tlieie is this all i--1 native however, that should ti e return • in revenue he an excessive amount, ' th: re can he a substantial reduction in the rate the following year to equalise 1 ;,,,v excess, lint fur the moment, till • the valuation roll is available m hill. ' and till the new procedure is in opera- ' linn for a year, it would he wise to ' keep a strong linance. and lor '"at reason eight farthings are suggested ■ this year for the new rale—-that being 1 a laithing per pound less than lasi The total revenue of ibe Council lor ‘ the year now entered upon is esllimited at €13,000 as against C 12,752 last year. •The estimated expenditure a par I Bom 'Hilling accounts is against t!',33l last yeai, this leave- a siiiplus , f t;i ;jt)n tor the Hidings as against €2900 allocated last year. The all s ition last rear fell far short of requirements. being in fact !■' 1 I -». slant. D_" iota! Hiding exneiidiiure was C1,35i. The Southern Hiding alow hen! within its limit, spending €123, oiit_ ol €l3o>. In lie.' Cential Hiding L'hlli was alloc.itol. hut the total csnlidil ure was in excess of €1333. Ibe Non hern Hiding v. bile alloeate'l €>io, sp nt €137, proilueiug a debit halance ol 1 . The proposed allocation this year is only It .Mil! more, hut many of the principal district roads have now been declared main loads, so tml the sum ;t\ailable should he amp!". u .will n t !■“ piesihle to adjust, the Hiding nine n s hv repaviler the debit balance. | J,.;i: y; ij u a trial must he 'given lo ihc in ... main rum! system, mi that aunt her \car s rxpevieiife is desirahle. I 1 or the -m'l, reason il is not propos'-d lo re,,,011.,,.11,1 lating 1 his year. The rate propose d is a Hat amount ovei the three Hidings. This year however, will le a test whether under the new v: lusi i.'ll the Hidings can live within I Uni,- 1,-.,-aI revenue. If it appears they ,:,,t ante to <U> so. 1 lien ill fairness to the districts which carry on under local revenue without driltmg into debt d i lie rent in 1 rating l.ecomes imperal ive. Indeed with the new legislation governing the necessity for local bodies to live within tlier means, the Council will ; r. quire to take definite tie! ion ill the mailer. The available sum of €3,000 il is proposed should h" allocated as follows 111 accordance with estimated rate nvenile: , N'ortliern Hiding '-3 ' Central Hiding - H sr > 1 Skint hern Hiding ' f, 92 ! T 3,300