TOWN CLERK’S ANNUAL REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1534, 11 April 1916, Page 4

TOWN CLERK’S ANNUAL REPORT.

The following is the Town, Clerk’s annual report submitted at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council : “I have the honour to present to you my third annual report and balance sheet. In connection with the latter, as was the case last year, all my books were ruled off and the balance-sheet ready for audit before 5 o’clock on 31st March, viz., the end of the financial year. I would like to state that this was facilitated through the courtesy of the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, who kindly let me have my pass books within a short space of time after making my final banking. “In May last the election of a Mayor and nine Councillors took place, when Mr A. Fraser, your late Town Clerk, was returned as Chief Magistrate of the borough. The following gentlemen were elected as Councillors, viz., Messrs Bryant, G. Coley, Freeman, Henderson, McColl, Stevenson, Simmons, Thompson and Whibley. Since this Council has been in office, 17 meetings have been held, the attendances being as follows;—The Mayor 17, Cr Bryant 17, Cr Stevenson 16, Cr Thompson 16, Cr Freeman 15, Cr Whibley 15, Cr Henderson 14, Cr Simmons 14, Cr McColl 12, and Cr Coley 11.

“General, Account. “The debit balance of the general account at the beginning of the year was ,£731 14s 3d, and from the balance'sheet it will be seen that this amount has been reduced by ,£542 19s Id, leaving a debit balance only of ,£IBB 15s 2d at the end of the financial year. “Maintenance. “During the past year the roads, footpaths and drains have been kept in as good order as our funds would permit. Of course, there are some of the roads which could readily absorb all the metal that was used to patch the various roads during the past twelve mouths. Concrete kerbs were laid down in Liddell Street and Ravensworth Place, but unfortu irately we were not able to finish the metalling of these footpaths. The Main Street, from the top of the Triangle, has been tarred and sanded to opposite Chung Wah’s shop, and has proved a great success. From the top of the Triangle to past Moutoa Buildings the Main Street has received a second dressing of tar and sand, and from all appearances it is likely to give great satisfaction, and indicates that when the whole of Main Street has been thus treated from the Triangle to Cook Street it will Ire a lasting improvement for keeping down the dust nuisance, as well as preventing the rolling metal during the dry weather, “Library, During the past twelve mouths Mrs Mitchell has carried out her duties as librarian and custodian in a most conscientious manner, and given general satisfaction. Owing to the war, we did not receive any subsidy for the past year, and had it not been for the donation of from the Council, we would have closed the year with a debit balance instead of a small credit. Again I cannot help drawing attention to the lack of support given to this institution by the residents of Foxton, the number of subscribers being only just on 40, while for the size of the town there should be four times the number. “Reserves. “This account, as usual, is well in credit, ending the year with a credit balance of ,£llß 11s 6d, notwithstanding the expenditure of the overhauling of the windmill and the complete re casing of the same, and the erection of a concrete trough also, and repairs to fence near the pound. “Cemetery. “The above account suffers worse than any of the accounts, as its income does not come up to the expenditure. During the year we had to borrow ,£2O from the general account, ,£ls of which has been refunded. Owing to the cemetery being so well pegged now, we have to cut the grass ourselves, where we used to get paid for the hay in the old days ; but the proper, surveying and pegging-off of the cemetery, and the having of an up-to-date plan on which to record and trace burials more than compensates for the pecuniary loss over the hay.

“Sanitation. “The sanitation work during the past twelve months was" very satisfactorily carried out by Mr T. W. Mitchell, complaints being seldom or never made. The position of the account is very good, there being a credit balance of ,£IOB 19s sd. During the year a new night cart was purchased, at a cost of ,£6O 2s 3d. It will be noted that there is a slight increase on the items horse-feed and horse-shoes as compared with last year’s figures, and the increase in the wages paid is in consequence of a rise in the nightman’s wages.

“Gas Works,

“From the balance-sheet it will be seen that the gas works have done satisfactory work during the past year. The receipts for lighting are £2O lower than last year, but the income from heat and power was £.60 more than last year, so the difference is more than compensated for. It will also be seen that in the receipts for coke, tar and fittings there is a considerable increase. From the trading account which is submitted to the Council it will be seen that the net balance is ,£254 5s 6d, so this must be taken as satisfactory when we consider that we spent on extraordinary expenditure £415 for interest and sinking fund, £2Ol 5s for new retorts and repairs to the old ones, and £2B 16s for Mr Blackman’s report. A few months back the Cbuncll altered the price of gas and changed the rate of discount. From the number of opinions received from consumers when paying their gas accounts, it is very plain that the new form of discount is not so popular as the old form. During the year the Council imported 25 Davis gas cookers, and have almost disposed of the whole lot, the installation of the cookers being done by the Council free of cost. In connection with the cookers, I might state that everyone sold has given great satisfaction, and from all appearances there will be a big increase in the gas consumption next year for heat and cooking purposes.

“Coronation Town Harr. “Messrs Fullers still continue as lessees of the Town Hall, • and the manager and his staff are most careful in looking after the Council's property. “Ratks. “The good reputation earned by this borough for always having its rates collected before the end of the financial year has again been maintained, as every penny of rates was collected before the end of the financial year, and application made for' the Government subsidy on same. “Building Permits. “Building improvements for the last twelve months were very small. Only 14 permits were applied for, representing ,£2,038, yielding £7 bflilding fees. “Valuation “A re valuation of the borough is now being made, and at an early date a sitting of the Assessment Court will be held, when it will behove any ratepayer who is not satisfied with his valuation in any form whatever to attend the Court and put in his objection. Mr G. H. Stiles, the late Mayor, has been appointed as assessor to represent the borough in that Court. “Valedictory. “As this is the last report* that I shall have the pleasure of presenting to you, gentlemen, owing to my taking up the duties of town clerk of Otahuhu, I beg to thank the Council for their past courtesy, and trust that the borough will continue to go ahead and that prosperity will always be the lot of Foxton.’’