The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 30, 1928. BOROUGH FINANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 30, 1928. BOROUGH FINANCE.

At the Borough Council meeting on Friday the annual estimates proposed by the Treasurer were placed beforo the Council, and Mr Coles was complimented by the Mayor on the clear exposition of the financial position. The figures for the expenditure as proposed totalled £4862, or about £ISOO more than, was actually incurred last financial year. The extra amount is in the main for water supply expenses, about £llOO being earmarked for removal of the pipe line at the head of the water supply line. There is also additional expenditure allowed for in regard to drainage works, the chief item being the commencement of the Sowell St. drain renewed in concrete pipes. There is a long length to lx> so treated, ranging from the water front to beyond Hampden St., but this is a work which cannot he finished speedily owing to the strech of time required to manufacture the pipes which are made locally by the Council. However, it is expected that the first section of this considerable work from the wharf to AVekl St will bo disposed of this year. The expenditure also provides for the purchase of the output of tar from the Hokitika Gas AYorks, and the material will be used for tar sealing streets and footpaths. A considerable amount of work will be possible in that direction also, while fire, prevention expenditure also shows an increase due to the extension of the high pressure line to the residences in eastern Stafford St. It will be seen that the Council contemplates a good programme of useful works, all of which appear necessary, but if the full proposals are to he carried out, it will be necessary surely to increase the staff at least temporarily. The staff at present engaged is far too small to make any great inroads of the Council’s programme. It is hoped 1 it is not proposed to hoard the extra money to be raised, but that active steps will ho taken to carry out the works in tlieir entirety once the scheme is finally launched. To provide the extra money for the works proposed, it will be comforting if not satisfactory to the ratepayers to learn that it is not proposed to increase the usual rate. The total rate remains the same as previous years, with, this year, a concession to those paying promptly of five per cent, by way of rebate. There is a saving on the hospital maintenance rate, but this saving had to be added again to the loan rates to keep those accounts in credit over the year. In the main, the volume of revenue will be very much on the lines- of last year’s receipts, there not being much opportunity for elasticity. The municipal rate has to be augmented by the harbour rate, the Council being the collector, and though ratepayers may resent the impost, it is still necessary to go on levying the harbour rate, and it is for the ratepayers to accept the position imposed upon them. The sum of the position appears to be that without increasing the levy on the ratepayers the Council proposes to discharge the various duties affecting the municipality and provide a sum of money to start more permanent repairs to the water supply and to improve the town clrainagq, Tkv nlter-

native would be to raise a loan for these latter works, but to attempt that would mean a more comprehensive scheme, and the extra cost would mean in the end heavier rating. The Council under the guidance of the Treasurer, appeal’s to be taking the right course in moving along the lines proposed. The most urgent and necessary work is to he attempted, and this will be done without saddling the ratepayers with heavy costs, or involving any future liability for long dated loans. The town is on the whole well found, and if the amenities of municipal life can be carried on as at present without pledging the future credit of the ratepayers for large loans, the ratepayers will have a more comfortable time, and property will benefit in current values. Many towns are overloaded with local rating for loan liabilities, all of which has a tendency to depreciate local values. The circumstances hero are much better in that respect, and it would appear it is the aim of the Borough Council to conduct the fortunes of the municipality along those more satisfactory lines—for which, doubtless, the ratepayers are truly thankful.