VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 416, 22 March 1877, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

WA.Y3 AND rtfEATvra. The Chairman and Treasurer of Vincent Connty estimate the year's expenditure at £11,628, and tho revenue from all sources at £11,(128. This balance of account is arrived /it by means of an Bfl. rate, bringing in £l7lO, which, with subHicly of 10s. from Lund Fund and 10s. from Consolidated Fund, makes up the deficiency of £3121 on revenue. The estimate of mining revenue is not an excessive one, but probably includes a few items, such as mining lease rents, which are to be withheld. The reason of the £IOOO inserted as tho estimated proportion due to Vincent County out of surplus Land Fund from Canterbury and Otago is not so easily arrived at. We fear Mr. Fraser allowed

himself to be led by bis able chieftain in introducing this item. In the first place Canterbury land fund is not to be mixed with that of Otago. The balance in each Provincial District is to be divided amoug the Counties within the boundaries of the old Province. As the whole estimated balance for tho Provincial District of Otago was only put by the Colonial Treasurer at some £2400, Vincent's share is clearly not nearly £IOOO. We need scarely add tho balance will this year be against the district, instead of in its favor. Tho astute Chairman appears to have taken Canterbury's handsome balance of about £160,000, added it to Otago's £2400, and apportioned £IOOO of the joint mixture to Vincent. We wish it were so. Vincent starts very fairly, and will no doubt, like all other Counties, run into debt and borrow, leaving the Colony to pay the bill. No one can doubt that the end of the County system will be caused by financial reasons. When they can borrow no more, \\ lien the rates to pay the interest on existing Joans are too grievous to be borne, the County electors will, return representatives to Parliament to wipe out Counties debts and all. There is no reason why Vincent should not go lo the bad as quick any other County. If its Council spends its money in works thai, will benefit population, there are many reasons why it should go ahead. The faster the better.