FIRE BOARD ESTIMATES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2758, 15 July 1924, Page 2

FIRE BOARD ESTIMATES.

CK. SMITH REPLIES TO CRITICISM.

At the conclusion of last night’s Borough Council meeting Cr. Bryan! (who is a member of the Buxton Fire Board) asked whether the Council was going to discuss the t ire Board estimates.

I he Clerk suit,! a copy of the estimates as approved by the Internal Affairs Department, had been forwanted to the Council. The Council's proportion this year was £2Bl IS/-. Uie Mayor said the levy this year was higher than last year although the estimates were lower. ILe urged strii-tm economy on the part of the Board. Cr. Bryant (a member of the i.-uaru, nut wiio was not present at me Board meeting when the estimates were discussed umi passed) a;so referred to several items of expenditure which he considered were C-YCOaisi V£. Cr. Smith (also a member of the ..'card) explained that although the i-iy tins year was higher than lust year, this was due to the fact that there was a credit balance last year „ nidi was set off against the estimates amt consequently reduced the levy to the contributing bodies, lie pointed out that since the Fire Bourn nad been in existence, me loss Hi are hail been negligible and that the amount contributed by the Bolougn Conned hail been fully justified ny results. \ cry careful consi- >.«. ration had been given by the Board when framing the estimates and ae challenged the Aiayor and Cr. Bryant to poiul to any items on the estimates which were not absolutely necessary, lie effectively answered their criticisms, and said he was prepared lo meet the ratepayers at any time and discuss the Board's administration. The subject was then dropped.