OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY, NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS, RANFURLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22986, 15 September 1936, Page 12

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY, NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS, RANFURLY

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—ln reading the report of the above function in the issue of the Otago Daily Times of the 11th instant, I regret that the county chairman’s remarks have been misconstrued, particularly in relation to loans raised by the council. Following line 26, line 27 of the report commences with the words “ the Maniototo County has never borrowed money and has never been loaded with debt.” The council as at March 31 last had two loans—(a) an antecedent liability loan of £2350, and (b) Ranfurly drainage loan of £670, which is secured over a special rating area being part of Ranfurly township and is therefore not a whole county liability. Loan (a) is a whole county liability, and the final position at the end of March last was as follows: Assets Cash, plant, stocks, outstanding . . rates, fees, etc £6792 19 5 Liabilities— Sundry creditors £2067 4 6 Loan moneys less . accrued sinking funds 2535 0 0 Surplus assets .. £2190 14 11 These figures show that after taking into consideration and allowing for payment in full of all the council’s liabilities including repayment of loan moneys, a credit surplus of £2190 14s lid (quoted in the report as £2200)remains. My council is very reluctant to raise any question regarding the report of the function, and in drawing your attention to the above does so, not with the intention of entering into a controversy through the columns of your paper but with the sole intention of placing the true facts before the general public. I am directed to take this opportunity of expressing the council’s appreciation of the amount of space devoted by your paper in connection with the report of the functions held in connection with the official opening of the new County Chambers.—l am, etc., F. A. Whitcombe, Ranfurly, Sept. 14. County clerk.