The Guardian And Evening Star, with which, is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1928. COUNTY FINANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which, is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1928. COUNTY FINANCE.

The review of the County finance for the past financial year contained in the Treasurer’s statement submitted to the Council on Tuesday afternoon affords an intimate study of the annual figure", much in advance of the credited accounts which are not likely to appear for sonie considerable time yet. The outstanding fact to be seen from the statement is a total surplus on last year’s turn over of £1938. This enabled a substantial reduction to l>o made in the floating debt hound up in the hank overdraft on current- account. The revenue appears to have been well maintained in the several departments, and the aggregate sum was well up to the average. Although there was a loss of rates through timber lands being now rateable, tlie deficiency was made good by the timber levy on transported output. The receipts per medium of grants was rather less, due to the curtailment in the Government grants. A clear statement was given of general expenditure under the several headings, the net result being an all round reduction. It was the economy possible in respect to the general expenditure which resulted in the saving being shown. This was portion of the policy adopted a year ago, when in view of a drift in the finances, the overdraft had mounted

up. The Council is therefore, to be congratulated on having carried out its intention of so restricting the expenditure as to recover its former financial buoyancy. The task was accomplished without avoiding necessary expenditure or increasing the burden on the ratepayers. The latter have the satisfaction of knowing that the rates will not be increased this year, hut on this occasion they will receive the concession of a five per cent, rebate for prompt payment of rates when struck in July next. The ratepayers have the further knowledge that the rate per pound of capital value is the lowest in Westland County on the Coast, and as this position is maintained without any loss in the public services the Council is called upon to supply, the residents are in a somewhat enviable position. The efleet of the recovery of the accounts will permit of an increased expenditure on the district roads without'straining the finances. It is worthy of note that the Council was not niggardly in that respect last year, for while the rates raised constituted US per cent, of the revenue, nearly double that percentage—actually 71 per cent—was represented in the proportion ol the expenditure on the roads to the total of the full out-goings of the Council. This year the district will derive benefit no doubt from the fact that some of the more important district roads are to be treated under the main highways system. The Kokatalii-Koitcrangi and Lake Kunieri roads should lie improved very materially at no extra cost to the ratepayers. The Council might well formulate a policy "to have the major length of the Kokatalii-Koitcrangi road tar-scalo’d. Being, a level road for so many miles, it certainly offers facilities for such treatment, and as good roads are as essential here as in other parts of the Dominion, advantage should be taken of the. conditions now prevailing under the highways system by making a start with the provision of first class roads ol the character referred to. The Council controlling as it does so extensive a County area, has responsibilities and liabilities covering a far tiling district. It seems to lie performing its task with a good deal of satisfaction to the settlors. Actually there arc very few complaints as to serious neglect. the Council evidently anticipating the wishes and requirements of the settlors with a very good understanding. In the separate Riding system with the allocation of funds for respective districts according lo their rateable value and settlement importance. there is certainly a, good basis to work upon and the outgoings can be watched very closely from month to month. The upshot has been the ability of the Council to keep its finances in a. solvent condition and able to attend to all pressing requirements without serious delay. This lias accounted for the standard of local government in Westland Comity being maintained at a high level over many years