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Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1924, Page 2

The particulars published in regard to the finances of the Westland County Council supplied, as it were, an advance copy of the year’s balance sheet. The position as revealed indicates that the year was a satisfactory one. in that revenue and expenditure practically balanced, and there was not any undue drift. The statement sets out the trail, suctions ve'y clearly. It is interesting to have the revenue and expenditure grouped under the various headings. displaying the year’s operations even more concisely than an ordinary balance sheet does. A striking feature of the expenditure is that upon road works, 'there were grants to the total of £2143, expenditure on main roads £7301 : and on district or riding roads £2331. This is a total of £11.780 on the roads and bridges of tin* district. Of the total revenue received this is equal to an expeutlitpro of 70", of the whole, a very substantial proportion indeed seeing tin t other claims in lesyect to various acts, repayment of loins, and administration, made demands for large suns of money to carry on during the year. The position is the more satisfaetoiy lo the tatepavei's tor should be) because it was attained noiw itlistnnding a reduction in the annual late and the concession of .V’,. rebate on all rates pail within the stipulated time. It is evident that the ratepayers van belli themselves a good deal by the prompt payment of rates to the lo al body. The readv money not only kce; s down interest < barges, but it leaves the Conned free to undertake works as they arise, instead of being allowed to stand over rather indefinitely. In fact it. permits of the stitch ill time whereby one pound can be spent now. saving an expenditure of nine pounds later. The levenue figures showed the rations sources whence the income of the Council is derived. The several headings explain themselves, and it is satisfactory to know that all branches were well maintained. The Hiding expenditure was kept.well within the allocation. Evidently members are watchful of this, and the care exercised reveals a satisfactory position. Oil the whole the state of the roads etc., show that the expenditure lias been carried out with fairness. There are not any particularly bad roads watchful care being exercised to moot the necessities of tiie traffic in all localities.

Wit I i.e ik reduction in the rate levy is not forecasted this year, there is the suggestion that when the next Estimates are being prepared it will be possible to muivc n reduction in the rates. This is so far satisfactory, seeing that the Westland County, compared with other Coast districts is already the lightest rated. The further reduction which is anticipated is based on the advantage to accrue from the Main Highways Act; increased revenue from motor taxation; an adjustment of the royalties revenue as between the Council and the p’oic? try Department; anil relief ill regard to hospital levies. The four headings all promise an advantage to the Council without any special outgoings, so that it is fairly sale to expect an improvement in the finances which will permit of a reduction in tile intos. The economical administration of the local body here is shown in the latest available statistics, where there ioo:n| arativo table as follows: Tnangalitia. 10.04 |cr cent; Boiler 11 .SO per cent: Grey 7.31 per cent: and Westland 0.92 per cent. This per tentage is based on the expenditure payin'* t Considered in relation to revenue receipts the comparison is equally •favorable to the Westland County, namely: —Boiler, 20.00 uer cent: Fnnngdiua, 10.40; Grey 14.18; Westland 11.33 ] or cent. On these figures the ratepayers have a good deal to he grateful for, for not only is the administration more economical, but there is a greater sum available for expenditure on the requirements of the Council as a v. 1» 1 * A good deal is expected and hoped lor from the Main Highways Act. and it is to ho hoped will ho realised. 'I In* Act is only just in force, and its benefit here has not yet been Jelt. but no doubt as time goes on the advantage wnl lit* experienced, anil with better attention to the main road, the local body w ill have the opportunity of doing more for the district roads. In fact in Westland it is the district roads which nre the most essential works Tor development. seeing that they are the feeders to the localities where production is at its highest. Tt is very satisfactory, therefore, looking to the future, to feel that the position of the most important local hotly in the district is in the position to carry on its work and responsibilities without unduly pressing on the ratepayer®.