WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 556, 5 April 1913, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE SEASONS' WORK. GOOD METALLING RESULTS. The development of the King Country is clearly indicated by the manner in which the activities of the local bodies are being enlarged, and the amount of public work which is beine accomplished throughout the various districts. The Waitomo County Council, which had to cope with an extremely unfavourable season last year, showed at the end of the term a very material advance on what had been accomplished during the preceding term. For the year ending March 31st, 1913, a still further advance has to be recorded in all respects. Favoured vc ith a good season, as far as weather was concerned, the work carried out under the jurisdiction of the county 3ouncil is a considerable increase upon the programme of any previous year. During the years 1911-12 settlers in various parts of the county took the opportunity of raising loans from the Government for the purpose of carrying out metalling work, and during the season just closed these works have been pushed ahead vigorously. From a return furnished by the county engineer, Mr E. R. Gould, it may be noted that during the present season a total of about twenty-five miles of metalling has been completed, and work on the various contracts iB still going on. The metalling is not confined to one locality, the districts of Honikiwi, Waitomo, Mairoa and Aria all contributing to the total. A considerable amount of widening, culverting and repairing is also being undertaken, and when it ia remembered the j present engineer, Mr Gould, only took ! up his duties at the beginning of October, the programme inaugurated and accomplished must be considered highly satisfactory. The total metalling mentioned is merely what has been laid between October Ist and March 31st, and favoured with fine weather the engineer fully anticipates completing at least thirty miles for the season. In addition there are several works of importance being carried out by the council in the shape of bridges for which plans and specifications had to be prepared and submitted for approval. The work of the county is still in full swing for the season, and in addition to the expenditure up to the 31st March, there are contracts in hand amounting to about £21,000. Portions of these will possibly be held over till the spring, but there is every chance that the major portion will be completed before winter. It is satisfactory to note that at ißast £15,000 of this extra amount is being expended in metalling, and a further twenty-five miles of permanent roading will result. The revenue and expenditure of the county have increased very considerably. During the financial year just closed the revenue amounted to over £32,000, as compared with £22,221 for the preceding term. The chief items contributing to the total are, loans £14,905, and grants and subsidies £10,421. The rates for the year amuont to £3o3u 12s 4d, including the amount of £lO7 7s Id for native rates. The expenditure for the term amounts to over £21,000 as compared with £15,208 for the previous term. Of the total expenditure the amount of £18,476 has been devoted to roads and works, the remainder- benig absorbed by hospital levy, interest on loans, engineering and surveys, and general administration.