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Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1925, Page 2

The statistical returns affecting local bodies supply in detail interesting particulars, and in regard to the Most Coast Counties the following details will he of local interest:

fn regard to rating. Buller strikes a creneral rate of 5-Jd'in the £. and Inaneahun ojd in the £. both on uniined"value. In Orev the general and hospital rate is 3d in the £. capital value, and in Westland lid in the £ capital value. The rates collected in the respective Counties and the percentage per £IOOO of capital value, was a.s follows:-Buller £9,369. 9.29 percentage: Inangahua. £5,369; 11. lo; Grey, £7,626, 9.91; Westland. £6.3,3, 8.16. The total revenue receipts were :

Duller, £17,255; Inangahua, £19,370; Grey £20,925; Westland, £15,201. The total expenditure was: Duller, £21.111; Inangahua, £12,838; Grey £24,285; Westland. £15,346. The payments on account of hospitals were: Duller, £3,369; Inangahua, £2,134; Grey, £2.920; Westland, £2,319. On road construction and maintenance tire expenditure was:—Duller, £19,891 ; Inangahua, £0.705; Grey, £16,376; Westland, £9,930. The outgoing for administration was : Duller, £3,327; Inangahua, £2,050; Grey, £3,243; Westland. £1.658: and tlie percentages of the cost of administration on the receipts were:—Duller. 25.95; Inangahua, 21.32; Grey. 20.43; Westland, 12.90.

Pursuing the ligurcs further it is found that the total permanent employees and their wages are:—Duller, 17, £4,008; Inangahua, 9, £1,705; Grey, 23, £5,759; Westland, 13, £3,012. The average number of casual employees and the wages paid, were: Duller, 25. £5,330; Inangahua, 13. £3,252; Grey, 10, £2,750; Westland, 15, £3,096. The number of licensed houses and the fees paid were: Duller, 32. £607; Inangahua. 31. £649; Grey, 20, £445; Westland, 30. £567. 'There is an interesting table of the length of roads as follows : .Metalh'd and not metalled roads: Duller. 308 miles; Inangahua, 150 miles; Grey, 279 miles; Westland, 463 miles. The bridle tracks and legal roads unformed are: Duller, 325 miles; Inangahua, 107 miles; Grey, 198 miles; AVestland, 515 miles. The total mileage in the Counties respectively is: Duller. 033; Inangahua, 257; Grey, 477; AVestland, t)7S miles. Tlie fo egoing figures suggest that on the rates paid and the general revenue received, the ratepayers of the Westland County arc receiving a very fair deal in the matter of economical administration, and we believe the state of the roads in relation to their length and service put to, are no less creditable to the local body. Tbo ease in rating combined with the services rendered, places the Westland County in a good position, and the ratepayers benefit accordingly. The local body on the expenditure shown is doing a good service in the light of area of the County and the value given for the outlay.

Local Body Liabilities Assets Buller ... £16.410 £8,19o Inangahua ... ... 21,433 27,121 Grey 17,409 12,G3o Westland 8.9S8 13.440