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Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1929, Page 4

Tfru reivirl of the Count'’ fberman publish'd in lips irsu". and which was "iihn'iftod to the mmitlil'’ meeting of the Council to—-day, supplies the ratepavers with a concise review of matters as they stand with the "Westland County Council. The report shows the

remnrkabe recovery which has been made in the finances during the term of the present Council shortly to cx- j pile. A very substantial debt at tiie Council’s bankers has been converted to what must be considered a respectable credit, in the time covered, there has been a recovery ot over £-1,000 in tiie banning account, and that is a ; very worthy achievement. Mr Wells ! as the retiring Chairman lms every j cause for being satisfied that his term j of office in tiie rosp usibie position J Joses so satsfactorily. Mention is also j made of the general improvement in j the r ads due.the Chairman attributes, j to the capable use of the road-making ; machinery. The roads are certainly in a greatly improved condition, and it is evident are being veil cared for. I’iiese very pleasing results, it is pointed out, ha.c been gained without saddling''the ratepayers with extra rating. In the Treasurer’s report a month ago it was shown that the Westland County rating was on the lowest; scale on tffo Coast with similar local bodies. The rating question always crops up at election time, and there seems to ho very little to cavil at in the Leal instance. Nc.t week the electors of the County will have to choose a new Council. There it re to lie polls m the three Ridings, an event which will give the ratepayers an opportunity to pass judgment on the retiring members. On the face of things there does not appear to he many sins of commission or omission to account for, so that the voting will ho decided (as in the case of tiie B trough Elections to-day) largely on the personal issue. Looking back over the record of the Wcsti.wid County Council there should he appreciation to-day that the Council lias been brought to such a satisfactory condition tiiat a credit balance can be claimed. The County is the largest area in bow Zealand, and it has long lengths of r-ads and bridges. Good service has been given the public in the adequate maintenance of the means of access and transport, anu having achieved that, the local body has discharged its chief function. On the whole, therefore, the record of the .Joumil is one that the retiring members have every reason to ho proud of when submitting themselves to the electors next week.