COUNTY COUNCI

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4560, 7 May 1923, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCI

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. I At the meeting of the Ohinemuri / County Council the chairpaan, Mr A. ‘ R. Kcbinson, submitted the following report:— « ■ “As this is the last meeting of the period for which the present Council .... holds office, I thought it right to briefly review one or two of the mailers which have come before us, or which have influenced the Council k, ; policy during our term of office. “In November, 1920, when we were elected, and when you did me the honour of making me your chairman, the whole country was passing through such serious financial stringency that those responsible for local Bodies’ finance could not but have j an exceedingly anxious time. . > “With regard to oui; County, thanks to the policy of careful economy which the Council, under the chair- ■ manship of Mr Grace, had already initiated, our finances, were perhap* in a better position than those of some other local bodies who had failed to observe the signs of the times, and during our term of office if. will be seen from the figures that ~ I shall quote, that the council’s affairs have been so administered that, whilst carrying put alf the works necessary for keeping the County roads in good condition. for ordinary traffic, and also effecting considerable improvements tp existing roads, such economy has been observed that the financial position to-day is considerably better than it was three years ago. “In November, 1920, the liability of < the County Fund for overdraft, unpresented cheques, 'and contract, liabilities was £6629. To-day the liability stands at'£3466 15s sd, made up of the amount of the loan raised for repayment of the antecendent liability (£4200) less the credit, bal-' ance at the bank (after allowing for unpresented cheques), £733 4s 7d. This, I. think you will admit, is a verv satisfactory position.' “There are, of course, works of great importance in the County which _ have had to be shelved for want of funds, and which can only be dealt with by the raising of loans. The Council has felt that the conditions have not ifMhe past been favourable for financial operations in this direction, bfft money is now becoming more plentiful, and there is no doubt, that the new Council will see its way to carry out the greater works. I have referred to. Perhaps the most important of these is the ever-fceeui-ring problem of the main roads. As long as the Government'is hesitating over what it is definitely going to , du in the matter it is- difficult for local bodies to act, but most certainly ac- ! tion cannot be deferred much longer, and the Council coming into office will have to face the matter. “An important matter dealt with last year was the alteration of the boundaries of the ridings and readjustment of-representation. As you are awarq, the matter was carefully gone into, and the new riding Waihi was created from portions of' Waitekauri and Waikino Ridings: two other ridings were given two representatives each instead of one, as heretofore. Although this alteration takes effedt. at once as far as representation is concerned, and the ' incoming Council will consist of nine, members instead of six, as a? present, the law provides that no new rifling accounts will be opened untfl after, the end of the present financial - year. “I wish, to thank my fellow councillors, the engineer and the effice staff for the whole-hearted support which they have always given to me as chairman, and without which it would have been quite impossible to carry on the affaire of the Council as satisfactorily as has been done.” APPRECIATION EXPRESSED. Or. Corbett said he would like to see, the Council’s appreciation and thanks for the efforts of the chairman placemen record.. He said the chairman had done a large amount of hard work, and it was very gratify-i ing to the ratepayers to see the tangibld amount of good that has been' dphe under the chairman’s ’ guidance. Cr. Morgan said that his sentiments had been - ‘expressed by the previous speaker. Cr. Johnstone said that it had been' .a real pleasure to sft at the table With their/chairman. He had-prov-ed himself a fair and just man in all his/ dealings. The speaker thought that the. Council was tp be congratulated on its financial position. Cr. Johnson and McGuire also spoke, eulogising the chairman’s services. The chairman .briefly thanked the members for their expressions of thanks and appreciation. He said be had always endeavoured to do his best, for the ratepayers and the riding members. Cr. McGuire took the opportunity of thanking the chairman and members for their valuable help during his term of office. He mentioned some of the trying times the Council had passed through. During the time Cr. Corbett held the reins there was a debit, balance of .some £17,000. The chairman corrected the statement, saying that at that time he was a councillor, when Cr. Corbett was chairman, and the debit balance”wa's only £13,000. Continuing, Cr. McGuire said it was very gratifying indeed to see the satisfactory progress the Council hadmade. He thought they had been a “very happy family.” He was again contesting the Karangahake riding, and nothing would give him morj pleasure than to be returned ‘ again. He paid special tribute f.o the chairman’s capabilities and impartial manner in dealing with the affairs of the county. He concluded by wishing the members good luck'and continued■ prosperity and expressed the hope that he would meet them all again round the council table.