WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 29 August 1918, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION.

To the Editor. StR, —In your issue of 15th inst., is a letter inserted by the late County Chairman purporting to deal with the above question, and which, did it not refer in a more or less personal manner to myself and also give a totally incorrect impression to the public, I would not ask space to answor. The statement in the circular that for the past two years tie County expenditure in several Ridings has been much above resources is fully borne out by the figures in the audited balance sheets as published. The income available for Riding expenditure for those two years was in round figures £19,200, and and expenditure on Riding works £23,200 exclusive of an additional £1350 on the Helensville bridge, which is yet to be refunded. Titirangi in common with Mairetahi and several other Ridings, overstepped the mark, Titirangi by only £100, but others much more heavily. The financial position when the present Council took office is not aacertainable by the state of the Bank overdraft, as I trust the following figures will show. To Bank overdraft (as shown by pass book) £2181 must be added cheques in trust and unpresented 1554 3725 also monies held to pay interest charges on Loans, Hospital Aid Rates, coutractors' deposits, etc. 3832 And due to sundry creditors (paid after Nov. 30 last for work, wages and supplies for previous council) 2243 Total Riding liabilities on Nov. 30, 1917 9800 On June 30th, 1918, the position of the Ridings as shown by the published Statement of Riding Finance was 10258 To this should be added for excess of administrative charges for the quarter which will be divisible ultimately among the Ridingsjshow ing the Riding accounts standing in debt at approx. say 500 Total Riding liabilities on June'" 30th, 1918 .... 10.738 Considering that from June to end of September is the hardest time financially for all local bodies, as rates for the current year are still to come in, the relative positions with only £1000 difference bear a much more favourable comparison than Mr Laing seems willing to establish. In fact, on November 30th next we should show considerable improvement. The late Chairman has either made the usual mistake of thinking that so long as there is a balance to draw on at the Bank there is- money to spend, or for someV,unfortunate reason whilst telling the truth1 did not tell the whole truth, and I hope he will be ready to admit his mistake through the same channels that he made public his misleading information.

I should also like to take this opportunity through your columns of thanking the ratepayers for the prompt response which is already being given to my request for prompt payment of rates. I can assure them that whatever shortcomings the present administration mayhave, its aim so far as I personally am concerned is that all our 'business shajl in just, careful, and right dealing merit the fullest confidsnce and support of the whole County, that Council members shall always be above suspicion of personal consideration, and that whenever public statements are made they can be relied upon. It is no easy matter to put your house in order in war time, but in justice to the many ratepayers who at last have some light on the County affairs after years of -waiting, and as Chairman I shall not reist satisfied until it is fully and thoroughly accomplished.—l am, etc.,

H. AITKENHEAD, Chairman Waitemata County Council