THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE." HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1916 RIDICULOUS ASSETS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 6 April 1916, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE." HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1916 RIDICULOUS ASSETS.

A COUNTY LAUGHING-STOCK.

MANGONUI County authorities must be in a bad way when, in their latest balance sheet (1914-15 just published) they ring-in as assets on uncollected rates — 1914-15, £1748 8s 4d; 1913-14 £504 9s Id; 1912-13, £327 19s; 1911-12, £206 13s 3d; 1910-11 £108 17s lOd; 1909-10, £107 6s 6d, making a total of £3003 14s, knowing quite well that, according to Act of Parliament, rates are uncollectable after being two years in arrears, so that, as the rates for 1915-16 have been issu ed and are not included in the above balance-sheet, we may assume that the first item of £1748 8s 4d for 1914-15, together with the current rates only are now collectable, thus making a huge difference. But why have not the 1914-15 rates been collected? One is almost . inclined to feel resentful that the Government auditor should pass a balance-sheet having a tendency to hoodwink the ratepayers, and knowing the assets as presented are bogus. For what else can they be, when it is impossible to collect them, and that it is illegal to try it on ? And otherwise there is either gross bungling going on with County finances or else glaring incompetency reigns supreme. Take for instance —put dow nas assets too— auctioneer's license (years back) ui?said, £5 ; wages overpaid, ; timber account overpaid, £16 Is 7d; contractors' deposits twice paid, £2; travelling expenses disallowed, £4 8s Bd.. All too absurd and ridiculous to dwell upon. We feel sorry for the ratepayers of Mangonui County, who evidently want better manageagement of their finances and a change of members.