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Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1926, Page 2

Till! review of the County finance for the past year by the Treasurer, is of interest at tin- moment with u general County election to take place in a month’s time. The past yetlr showed a decline in both revenue and expenditur, but oil the year’s transactions as a whole there was a credit balance of £llOO. The- details of both revenue and expend!tine in the statement published wore set out. clearly, and probably could be more readily followed than in the set balance sheet of the Council, which often makes ti belated appearance owing to the unavoidable audit delays. The Treasurer’s stiutcnient, however, brings the figures right np-to-uate, and therefore disclose the. financial position of the Council as at present. The Council was able last year to reduce the rale and still hvo within its means. It. was explained by the Treasurer that lint for extraordinary expenditure to be met for roadworks this year a further reduction which had been contemplated, could not lie made. But although over £3.1 KM) extra lias to be found for tho roads there would not be. any inmnso in -flic taxation. The ratepayers will appreciate that consideration even though there may no no rebate on prompt payment of rates this year. The. analysis of the tigures shows at substantial expenditure directly on the loads. The amount is well over £9OOO, or.something like .seventy-

live per cent, of the gross revenue. So far a.s finding money for works is concerned the Council is doing its part, and for so large no expenditure there, should be good i*asult.s. They limy be. judged by the general condition of the roads and bridges. On the whole they mn.v be regarded fairly a.s very satisfactory, ami bear comparison with the condition of distrir roads throughout- the- Dominion—a.s those who travel abroad can testify. Ibo principle ot separate Hiding accounts is a. good one for it enables a fair division <d the funds to lie made. The, allocation is based on rateable allocation, and as the uatmg is uniform, the outgoing is in proportion to the rates derived from the three Ridings respectively. A comparison of

the expenditure it will I;e noticed is in keeping with the representation, which also is based in the main on rateable values-. For* the year now entered upon it is indicated there is to be some restrict ion of expenditure. Hi is will bo inure apparent than real for more use is to be made of the road plant, and a greater return is expected for ii lesser ea-h expenditure. There Will be some £4OO less for district road expenditure, which in view of the large sum io lie found for highways expenditure and the purchase of plant, •should not mean a serious dislocation of the Council's operations. The one regret about the County’s finance is that so little is available for new works, some of which are required urgently. Hut tho County of Westland is very extensive in area, and the district is heavily roaded. There is now considerable heavy traffic on many of tho roads, and maintenance must bo the first care of the. Council. I?e----garding the financial position as It is with a eompntntivoly low rate, and tile length of roads to bo cared for, the Council appears to be meeting its obligations very satisfactorily in the general interests of the ratepayers.