The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1928. SOUND ADMINISTRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1928. SOUND ADMINISTRATION.

It would appear that the ratepayers in the local body districts of Westland have occasion to feel satisfied that they are not being saddled unduly with ratin'S as is the case in some other districts. In many parts ot New Zealand now there are serious complaints about the burden of the local rating due to so many expensive systems being run to serve the public weal. It is not so long ago that it wa.s found necessary to set up a Local Bodies’. I .vans Board to cheek the desire of local bodies to raise large stints of borrowed money for any and all purposes The Board became a necessity to put the break on. lint ere it "as in action a good deal of the serious mischief had been done, and

many districts now are carrying large liabilites •occasioning .much addition to tile annual rates to meet current requirements. In Westland there has not been the disposition to add imdiilv to the annual burden, and consequently the annual levy on the ratepayers is not an abnormal matter. One of the

special occasions for < ongratiilatinn in escaping the liability of extra ratine; in this district is in regard to the provisions of electric power. In relation to 'noth Hokitika Borough and Westland County, any extra cost on account of installing hydro-electric works has been saved the ratepayers private enterprise' being responsible for the provision of the utilities. The districts thus have avoided any large annual cost, and it remains for the users only to pay for the convenience they derive from the light or power used. In regard to general municipal or county records, reasonable control has been used, with the result that there is not any abnormal charge's added to the rates to meet extraordinary expenditure which it would he difficult far the community to afford. In other words, there has

I been sound administ ra lin keeping ex- | pendituro well within flic.- means of the- ■ community and so serving a double' purpose in Iveing economical and mindful ‘ of the limitations to be placed on the respective' districts. There has been occasion in previous years to cnngralulafe the community cm the sound administration generally noticeable in respect to local body business in Westhind district. The remarks already made in respect to municipal and country government, apply with ecpial force, we are glad to say, also to other forms of local government, including the hospital institution, the power hoard, harbor hoard and school administration. Tito local representatives are careful and frugal, without carrying the virtues to excess, and becoming parsimonious. The district will probably claim to he as progressive in spirit as anywhere else, but the rate of progress must always he governed by the ability to expand within means, and it is in that respect where the quality for sound administration comes in. It is a very healthy condition of affairs to find all branches of local government so well conducted, and the general results so satisfactory. The district has much to appreciate it its public conveniences regarding reading and access generally, while the services proved by the various local bodies meet public requirements very completely. This achievement, speaks well for the the ratepayers’ choice, as also for the zeal and ability with which the demands of the ratepayers are being met with the available resources. Altogether. Westland may plume itself on the care and consideration devoted to its civic welfare by those in authority to direct its fortunes.