The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1930. COUNTY FINANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1930. COUNTY FINANCE.

The comprehensive statement covering ■ the year’s financial operations by the Westland County Council presented by the 'Treasurer to yesterday’s monthly meeting, dis-loses a gratifying general position. The analysis shown in the report gave an interesting review for t..e year’s work, supplying particulars of both revenue and expenditure. The Council was able to close its year’s accounts with a credit balance of nearly £301)0, This was a satisfactory result, and it would appear that for almost the full year the County Fund Account was in credit, the . charge for bank interest on overdraft being very small and probably a record minimum for the Council. The particulars given showed a substantial expenditure on roads. The principal obligation of the local body is in respect to the upkeep of the roads, and the large general expenditure on that account shows that the duty was not neglected. There is also the fact that the general state of the roads speak for themselves in regard to the attention devoted to thorn. The roads of Alio district are ■on the whole very favourably commented on by users, There is uo doubt the machinery plant now held by the Council is of material service in overtaking repairs and maTutenance, and thereby .has justified its purchase. The report pays tribute to the good work' of the road staff. It would" appear that '‘lie r,raise might go further and refer to the intelligent manner in which the road plant, is utilised in the general execution of the mamteunn c and const ruction of the roads. The financial operations disclosed for the year were <onsiderable, It was certainly good business to pay off loan indebtedness while funds wore available. Thereby the Council lias been relieved of a scmi-pcrnianent charge, and the ratepayers of special rates. Further redemption of loan is suggested in the report, and was agreed to by the Council yesterday. Those operations give colour to the reality of I he. manner in which tho funds of the

Council are being operated. It is claimed again on the evidence of the Government blue book, that the Westland County is the lightest rated on the West Coast Counties’ group. This in the face of the good work being done in a district so extensive as Westland County, is’ certainly a credit to the Council. Westland is the largest in area of New Zealand Counties, and its long length of roads and tracks,' numerous' bridges, and other means of intercourse such as ferries, indicates that in the aggregate the County finance must be administered with a wise economy to show results so satisfactory. On that account, no doubt, the Council showed a disposition to approve the general recommendations of the Treasuier as being in the best interests of the finances. The proposals were put forward very equitably and with evident thought for the full effect. The riding expenditure has been adjusted on the lines of the previous year’s provision. This will enable the three districts to carry on on the usual lines, and should assure general satisfaction in the results. There has been some suggestion about increasing the number of ridings, which would necessitate a readjustment of boundaries. Hie alteration would not create more revenue, hut it is a question whether the expenditure woiild he carried on as intelligently, lor the reason that with the larger areas, general works receive more considered opinion. In any case the work of the Council as a whole seems to be on intelligent lines, and without regard for special consideration for favoured localities. Works of importance are given, fair consideration, and there has been nothing br'pught to. the surface wlii.li would indicate that any particular locality has been treated unfairly. The Treasurer concludes a very informative report on a pleasing note. The year now entered upon is expected to he no less satisfactory than the past, and that ‘suggests that the Council will carry on and pay its way without extra demands on the ratepayers. The County ratepayers are well served with medical attention and many of them with electric light and power, without being saddled with extra rating or special liability. iSound administration has been responsible for the results, and it must - he admitted the County afea is well and excellentlyserved by the controlling local body.