The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY. JULY 3rd. 1924. LOCAL BODY FIGRES.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY. JULY 3rd. 1924. LOCAL BODY FIGRES.

A Minnn.r.N paper this week drew attention to some comparative homes affecting County (oivermnent wheiehy tlie ixisition of the Boiler, drey and Westland Counties were analysed. The figures were quite incomplete and on an entirely wrong basis to draw fair conclnsions. It appears they were drawn from a statement made by the ox-C’ounty Chairman of the Ruller County and 'related only to royalties and goldfields revenue, and to general rates. Revenue as a whole, and not even dovernmeut grant revenue, were taken into account. The income from royalties ,and goldfields revenue are of course local revenue though paid through the dovernmeut. The amount represents the activities of milling and mining under tlio various acts dealing with those subjects, ami if they are less in the Buller County it means that the industries are not so material in the north. Tlio rating question is a local tine governed by the needs of the respective districts after allowing for other sources of income. The Buller County rates on unimproved value, the amount lieing ojd in the C. The amount raised for the year was £9.406, the hulk of which it- might lie explained in passing is derived from the coal mining companies which pay heavy rates, but not any royalties to the local bodies. In the Westland County where the rating is on capital value at 2d in the pound. £6,031 was derived—the whole of the amount coming from general ratepayers. As to the Government grants, Buller is trea-.

ted exceptionally well compared with Westland. Boiler received in grants £’17,732, as against £O.lll for Westland. In aggregate revenue for the year. Boiler deiivctl no less than £30..“G0 against £21,713 in Westland. In addition. Bnller was most generously treated in the matter of the maintenance of its main roads, the particulars of which are not available from any Government return at hand. But if Boiler is feeling any liuaneial pinch, the local body might look nearer home. Wo note its administrative, costs tire on a high scale. For instance, the proportion of the cost of administration to local revenue is no less than 20..1S per cent, while Westland is only 14.21 per cent. In loldtioil to payments. the proportion of administration is 1472!) per cent, in Boiler and !).20 in Westland. The relative payments were Bnller, £18.470 and Westland £10,307. indicating a considerable measure of sound economy on the part of Westland when expenditure is being administered. Boiler has 280

miles of road as against 413 in Westland, while the length of tracks in Muller is 120 miles as against tOO miles in Westland. In administrative wages. Bnller pays out £IO2O, to £723 in Westland, and lias twelve permanent employees at a cost of £2,8.80. as against ten costing £2202 in Westland. On these figures our Bnller friends have nought to complain of as regards Westland, which district appears to have been dragged very unfairly into the matter. The Bailer revenue is substantial, and the area of the district is less than half of that of Westland, while its roads are also givatlv less. If the income of the northern body is not equal to its requirements, if must look nearer home lor the cause, and by applying the pruning knife, or 'otherwise economising. endeavour to make its cloth suit tile garment required to be prola rod for its lean quarters.