MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 112, 23 December 1918, Page 1

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

Annual Report. The following report was submitted to the Matamata County i councillors by the clerk on Wednesday, and was adopted “ Gentlemen,—l have the honor to present to you the annual report dealing with the administration of the county. The annual balance sheet to 31st March, 1918, and that for the half-year to 30th September, 1918, have just been received from the Government Audit office, Wellington. Excepting a minor memo, re interest accounts, both are free from' ‘ tags.’ The rates struck for the period 1916-17 amounted to £7,754 5s lid general rates, and £1402 Os 4d, a total of £9,156 6s 3d, of which £8,424 4s 3d has been collected. Of the arrears, which amount to £782 2s, £623 8s 9d is secured by agreement, and £3B 7s lid by judgment summons. A list of uncollectable rates, owing to forfeiture, etc., will require to be written off. The Government subsidy on rates collected was £968 Is sd, and by the agreement mentioned a further £77 8s 7d is secured, making a total of £1045 10s. For the current year the rates levied are £13,553 Is 9d general, and £1344 19s 8d special, a total of £14,898 Is sd. Owing to the war no financial assistance, excepting one small', amount for the Kaimai road, has been received from the Government by way of grants. With the cessation of hostilities I would advise that a full list of requirements where Government assistance is warranted should now be prepared in anticipation of a Treasury public works vote. Votes that were already on the Estimates and authorised, viz. NgatiraOkohiriki road (£4OO £ for £) this work is in progress; the Omahine and Waitiariki bridges contracts have been let, but the contractor has been held up owing to difficulties in securing the right class of timber.

“Loans in course of expenditure are —Omahine-Te Poi loan of £2500, of which the second £IOOO is now being expended, and the metalling scheme is reported to be in a fairsway to completion ; Waharoa drainage £2OOO has been expended and a further £IOOO borrowed. but owing to the extremely wet season the work has been postponed for a time; owing to high prices tendered, no tender has been yet accepted for the work on the Horahora road for which a loan of £2500 has been raised. Application for a loan of £SOOO has been made for expenditure over certain roads in Patetere riding; the ratepayers concerned being in agreement for the need of metalled roads. Riding balances to 30th, September are before you. Although the financial position is good the present high rates ruling for labour and material, point to a strain on the finances of the county, in bringing the county roads, generally and especially those that wore badly during the winter, into an efficient state for the ever increasing traffic. It is a matter needing adjustment, that the County councils’ borrowing powers are so limited, and thus restricting a comprehensive scheme of permanent roadways, and so releasing rate revenue for maintenance purposes. After four annual meetings held since the war started, it is with feeling of pleasure that, owing to the victorious Allies, this year’s meeting is held in times of peace. With best wishes for the ensuing year. Yours truly, H. LEWIS, County Clerk.”