Borough Conucil.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 30 May 1918, Page 3

Borough Conucil.

A special meeting of the Levin Borough Council was held on Monday evening to consider the estimates. In the absence of the Mayor, Cr Matheson was voted to the chair and there were also present : Crs Lancaster, Broome, Aitken, Parker, Bull , Ryder, Mackenzie and Bryson. The balance-sheet as already published was read by the. Treasurer (Mr B. R. Gardener), who said rates outstanding on the general rate account were £187, which extended back over a number of years. The amount levied last year was £1781 and collected £1085, leaving outstanding £95 odd. Cr Matheson, commenting- in; the balance sheet, said ' that in spite of heavy increases it was satisfactory that there was so small a debit balance and no interest to pay. They should congr■itnlcOe the treasurer on his successful handling of the accounts !>n<l he trusted he would be equally successful during the • \jming year. The estimates as published below were then read by the Treasurer. The Chairman said the Finance Committee had gone carefully into the estimates and did not s> j e any way either of reducing the expenditure or raising the, income. The figures showed an estimated deficit of £400, but the Treasurer was evidently sanguine of overtaking that deficit. In reply to Cr Bull the Treasurer said lie thought the amount for the baths would meet the proposed works. Cr Parker pointed out that the arrangement for hiring the road roller appeared to be so satisfactory as to obviate, the necessity for purchasing a roller. In reply to Cr Mackenzie, the Treasurer said the extra work to be done in the gardens was taken into consideration and he thought the planting of the railway .reserve could be carried out for the money. Cr Aitken queried whether the tar estimate was sufficient and it was pointed out that a great deal of now work was in prospect. Cr Lancaster referred to the excellence of the new tarring just completed in Oxford street. Cr Matheson said the library vote appeared to be the most extravagant, but Mr Gardener replied that he hoped the appeal he had just issued would meet with the response it deserved. Cr Parker said he had always looked upon, the £000 received from reserves as an endowment to be used for special permanent purposes, but looking over the estimates he could see no way of readjusting the finances so as to be able to earmark the reserves revenue. ... In reply to Cr Mackenzie tlie Treasurer said the Borough was in a fortunate position regarding the general rate. Dargaville raised £2500 by its general rate as against Levin's £1800 and then was heavily in debt while we had no overdraft. r , Cr Matheson agreed with yi Parker concerning the earmarkui"' of reserves revenue. He thought that in other than war time the rates were too low, but would not favour altering it just now. He had found on his recent visit to the north that Levin was much more advanced than he had given it credit for. Cr Lancaster: I am glad you have found that out. Cr Matheson considered one thing Levin was rather backward in was beautification. He did not think the Council should bear all the expense and suggested competitions between the different streets.; ■ . „ A resolution approving of the estimates was unanimously car-

On the gas estimates Mr Gardener said the accumulation ot balance appeared large, but there was a prospective expenditure oi £250 for the benefit of the rate payers in reinforcing the mams (Continued on page 4.)