The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2549, 22 August 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1884.

At their meeting last evening the Borough Council, by the casting vote of the Mayor, carried a motion for levying a general rate of 6d in the £ on all rateable property within the borough ; and, in accordance with this motion, a notice is published today announcing the Council's intention. Cr. Burger strongly opposed the motion, a 3 did other three of the eight councillors, believing the estimate prepared to be at fault in not providing for expenditure which would be absolutely necessary. They considered, too, in the present state of the borough finances, when the Council was early in the year receiving instalments of an overdraft which could not be paid till next July, that it was injudicious to strike so low a rate, and that the rate ought to be one shilling in the £. Cr. Burger also drew the attention of the Mayor to section 109 of the "Municipal Corporations Act," which provides that—--109. Before making any such rate, the Council shall cause an estimate to be prepared of the proposed expenditure of the Council during the period for which the rate is to be made, showing any sums already available for such purpose, the additional sum required, the total rateable value of tbe property on the valuation roll, and the rate thereon necessary to raise the money required ; and such estimate, being approved by the Council, shall be publicly notified in the borough one week before making the proposed rate. It is obviously the duty of the Council, and not the Mayor or the Finance Committee to " cause " the estimate of the proposed expenditure to bo prepared ; and if four out of eight councillors sitting consider such estimate to be at fault, surely it were better to refer it now to the Finance Committee for reconsideration. Then, again, "such estimate, being approved by the Council, shall be publicly notified in the borough one week before making the proposed rate." As the estimate was ouly .submitted to the Council last evening, it is obvious that the striking of the rate at such short notice, and without ih -liniiiU; having been published, u premature. The' borough has had bitter experience of informal rate striking, and it is to be hoped councillors will see to it that there shall be no bunsrling in future.