The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, APRIL 30th. 1923. COUNTY FINANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, APRIL 30th. 1923. COUNTY FINANCE.

Tjik Treasurer’s report to the Westland County Council, published on Saturday for consideration at to-day's monthly meeting, is an interesting and instructive statement, supplying in advance of [ho audited accounts a concise summary of the financial operations of the Council for the past financial year. As next week the County elections are to he held the statement is of service I to the ratepayers, as it gives an up-to-date review of the position of the Council, with a forecast for the iinnnoinl year now entered upon, and of which tlie hist month ends to-day. The gross receipts while net a record, approximates tho highest figures previously touched of late years since C’ounty government lost the Crown Lands rating system and the lucrative income from the gold duty. The general revenue of the Council has kept up well. That- front rates reached a record sum of over six thousand pounds hut this source of income now includes loan rates which are ear-marked s]>ei ifically for the liquidation of certain indebtedness created by borrowing fur roads and bridges. Goldfields revenue, now made up largely of rents for mining privileges, including sawmilling rights under the Mining Act, lias kept up well, and timber royalties still approximate a respectable sunt. Subsidy on rates exceeded the £SOO minimum, and licensing revenue produced a useful sum of about £550. Revenue from land by way of thirds of deferred payments, appears to be a diminishing amount, but if there is a spurt in the settlement of Crown Lands, this source will increase. The aggregate local revenue was £13.423. less the Harbor rate of £637. for which the County is merely the collecting machine for the Harbor Board. Other receipts in respect to grants and proceeds from local ' loans brought the year's income to

£lB,lO-1. The-analysis of the year's expendituie i< interesting, and probably male readily gripped than when set out in a stereotyped balance sheet. The particulars are very complete and indicate exactly where the money gees. Of the total net revenue of £13,423, there was spent on main roads and district roads from the County Fund, a- total of £8,300. This is a percentage of 02.3, which is quite a substantial quota of the revenue, seeing that statutory payments under various Acts absorbs almost £4.000, or nearly .(o'> n of tlie income. Administration of the Counties Act, which is not included in the other statuary payments, cost loss than 10",',—wliitdi, on the turn over, is not all economic excess. Turning to the Estimates hr the year now mitered upon, the ratepayers will glean some degree of saLislactiou from the fact that the Treasurer proposes a reduction of one faithing in the year’s rate. This in view of the fact that the Council lias to take over the Ku-inara-Ross main rend, is rather a surprise. lint tlio Treasurer "ives reasons why the reduction is possible, and no doubt nil the eireiimstniicos have been carefully reviewed. In addition, it is worthy of notice that the County ( linirniaii has given notice to move at today's sitting of the Council to grant ratepayers a rebate of n't, where, in future, newly struck rates are | aid within 30 days. This is in .ueonlam e with the provisions of the rating legislation passed at last ses-ion. and should lie an incentive to ratepayers to pay their rates prompt to time, which in turn would he a relief to the ( on noil in saving interest on hank overdralt which lias to he maintained while rates nre outstanding. This concession ot is almost equal to a third of a farthing, so that with those wlm pay promptly, there will be a benefit which will prove of mutual advnntge to the Council. It is not clear whether, this extra rebate will apply to loan rates, but presumably it will, so that altogether the ratepayers will he enjoying soiik' relief in local taxation. The accounts reveal an active year and a wide general expeiiditme. Despite tlie heavy trallie on some of the roads, the Council appears to have done well in keeping the priori) le thoroughfares in very passable order.