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Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1930, Page 4

The County Treasurer’s report on the half-year’s finance (supplied at yesterday’s meeting of the Westland County Council, should be satisfying to ratepayers. They have the satisfaction of knowing that financially, despite the difficult times at this period, the Council is holding its own. Although the expenditure ;'Jor the half-year averaged upwards of £2OOO monthly, tho receipts were equal to the demand, and the period closed with a small credit balance. As tin half-year had opened with a credit balance, the final washing-up was a net credit of £ll6O in cash. The report supplied some general details of the fimuieds. The County Riding expenditure went over the allocation, due in the main to the provision for subsidised Government grants, Doubtless' owing to the stringency, there is less fpce money available for the local bodies and they are called op now to find a considerable portion of the grants—ge.frailly onto .half. This it can be understood, means a considerable drain on the funds. Tho now Estimates this year from Parliament, are not any exception, and again there are a .succession >of votes, the expenditure of which involve an outlay 'by the local body of at least onehalf of the total cost. The fact that the Council is able to meet this class of expenditure and still show a credit balance, indicates that the finance is being watched carefully by the Council. In respect to one road in particular, known as the Coast roati from Greymouth j the report supplied some interesting details for the consideration of the Council and ratepayers, in reaching a decision as to the prosecution of the work. The secondary highways within the Countv. like the main highway,, are maintained in a creditable condition. The secondary roads are the responsibility of the Council, and interesting particulars of the expenditure incur red are given. The cash earning-pow-er of the road plant over the period was also interesting information for the Council, and indicated that the plant wins back a good proportion of its maintenance cost. Generally, the report discloses that tlm previous strong financial position of the Council is ihejng maintained. The Council was able to avoid almost entirely any assistance from bank overdraft, which means a considerable cash saving over the year. The help given by Hkv ratepayers in the prompt payment. W rates is a, considerable help to that end, eo that there are mutual advantages, Tlie fact that the Council has been able to maintain a substantia! credit balance at its bankers over ,the (term, igives the report a substance of special value, and indicates that the management all round has been careful and along quite 9afe lines.