THE VANISHED OVERDRAFT.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 1 December 1917, Page 3

THE VANISHED OVERDRAFT.

Some of tho new County Councillors were curious at Wedinesday's meeting to know liow the County overdraft had been wiped out. Cr. Law (Tolioiuaru) assorted .quite confidently that tho roads had been starved for years and tliis enabled the overdraft to bo paid off. Ho instanced several miles of road at Shannon where the. instructions were to put 200 yards of metal one year and that was more than the road had had for years p?st. Cr. Monk said it was Shannon that had kept the Tolcomaru riding poor. There was more metal put down in tho County last year "than ever previously, "and then we wiped out the overdraft," said the chairman. He added that the state of tho roads was chiefly due to increased traffic and he instanced tho ten miles of main road in Te Horo riding which six years ago cost £100 ai year to mountain and now cost £800. Cr. MciLcavey: How could you do it without starving the roads The Clerk: By collecting the rates and getting the Government subsidy for it. The chairman said that two years ago the Council earned £1,800 as Government subsidy. Last year they received. £2.300 and tile year just ended £2,500. They paid less Bank interest and the outstanding rates were less than £100, whereas three years ago they wore £6000. A number of -other matters were olso brought np by councillors. Cr Law (Tokomarn) asked the chairman a series of questions relating to various matters such as the overdraft and the salaries of officers of the Connfaction by the li'rdlu etao inhrdlu fmf cil, these bolng answered to his- satisfaction. Cr Law also condemned the of putting down loose metal and leaving it to bo kicked' off the road by the milk carts, requiring a great deal of raking np. Cr "Ryder asked whether it was stipulated in tho metalling contracts that the metal must be carted over the road. He asserted that the contractors were in the habit of trumi'ng on tire side of the road, whereas if they went over the metal half the work of the road roller would be done. Cr Monk said he believed the contracts provided for this aiul in hi.s riding it was strictly adhered to. with the result that this piece of road was the best about there. Cr Law expressed surprise that the Engineer allowed contractor.-; to ruu with one wheel in the w-aterlables. Tlie Engineer .said lie had already given orders that this practice must cease. Cr Catley .said the road* must be rolled from the outide and not tmm the centre to get the best results.