The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1930.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1930.

COUNTY BALANCE SHEET. The annual balance 'sheet of the Westland County Council makes a belated appearance, due of course to audit delays. A synopsis of the year’s transactions were embraced, however, in the Treasurer’s Statement which was presented to the Council immediately following the close of the financial year, in April last. The resume then given prepared the way for the fuller detailed statement now available. The net revenue of the general jiecounts was £14,307, the principal items being goldfields’ revenue, £5,476, and rates £4,972. The niro of the plant and the sale of material readied the substantial total of £982. On the expenditure side, there were substantial outgoings for roads. The main roads expenditure was (£1,647, the advances to separate ac-counb-i for grants 'expenditure was £2,218, transfers to loans and high ways accounts, £2,920, and there wa.-, transferred to separate riding accounts £'2,006. The contribution the hospital maintenance was £1,814. There was thus a large direct expenditure to public utilities. The total was £10,605, which was nearly 75 per cent of the income for direct benefit to the ratepayers. The Council ils continuing its policy to pay off its loans, only two remaining now, and on (the figures shown, it should be possible to wipe o(T one of the remaining two loans when next the annual expenditure is overhauled by the Council, The net result of the year s financial operations was a credit balance of £1,136. The Council handled a large sum on account of special grants, there Being a long array ol separate accounts covering the expenditure which extended to all parts of the district. It is interesting to note the general expenditure on the sec-

ondary highways, and in that connection, as in fact with the roads generally, to express satisfaction with the standard of maintenance now adopted for the upkeep of the roads. 'There is no doubt the use of the road plant has been a factor in the better standard reached, machinery enabling full lengths of road to be handled not only quickly but also more frequently, which accounts for the uniform degree of maintenance noticeable. It is of interest to mention this aspect because at the outset there was a difference of opinion among the councillors and ratepayers as to the ad visahility of purchasing machinery. But the wisdom of the action appears to be demonstrated by the results in which all users of the roads participate. One useful result devised from using machinery is the better consolidation of the road ,enabling heavy traffic to he carried more successfully. At one stage, heavy traffic was a serious impost, but it is not that burden now, and- this relief comes ill the main from the firmer consolidation of the roads, Another noticeable- fact about the toads is the class of material ilOw considered bqst for maintenance. The material is all lighter than in former ycat'H when broken metal was ho much in vogue. The fine material is also more acceptable to motorists from the tyre-wear point of view, and it certainly hinds better and gives a truer surface. The ratepayers of the County are not burdened with a heavy annual rate. It has been a decreasing quantity for some time, and the last of the special rates has now disappeared. "Whether the Council can maintain its favourable rating for the benefit of the ratepayers remains to be seen, but at the present juncture there should be every, effort to do so, as the income of the farmers and settlers, who are the principal contributors, has decreased, and while they are not able to bear any Increase, would certainly appreciate a decrease. The sawmillers last year found over £6OO under the special timber levy. This contribution is based on the cutting capacity, and while not a large sum, will doubtless be less this current year, as so many mills are cutting less. Any reduction in respect to the levy would doubtless be a welcome gesture to t-hg^,industry. On the whole, the County Council’s position is a fairly comfortable one financially, and the local body continues to discharge its obligations in. accordance with requirements and is giving very general satisfaction.