OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 186, 24 May 1939, Page 2

OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

- V f V *s?; * ANNUAL • T4E'tT.IN43t;V — ■ - —.- i f fe $ ' t - ' ■'■"'■•'■■ :■:* MR. W. A. GAULT RE-ELECTED 'CHAIRMAN

JThe annual meeting of the Opotiki County Council was held in the council chambers this afternoon. Present: Mr. TV. A. Gault (chairman), Councillors J. G. Neilson, W. A. Butler, T. Burke, R. Hedley, A. E. Blake, S. Maxwell, J. T. Clark, C. Black, J. McDonnell, G. 8. Moody : Mr. J. T. Merry, (county clerk), a rid Mr. TV. TV. Upton (county engineer). The minutes of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed; -' The chairman presented a report of the year’s activities;- also extending liis; thanks to the clerk and engineer for their assistance. A review of the county’s finances was, presented by the chairman. Mr. Gault said that owing to the rateable valuation of the county being reduced, it would be necessary to increase the rates. Mr. Merry .stated that the valuation had been reduced by. £40,000. The county clerk then took the chair and called tor nominations for the position of chairman. (Jr. Moody proposed Mr. Gault as chairman, and this was seconded by Cr. Hedley. Several councillors spoke in support of the motion. Mr. Merry, oil behalf cf the staff, said that Mr. Gault had heeu of great assistance. Mr. Gault was unanimously re-elect-ed. In returning thanks, Mr. Gault said lie greatly appreciated the assistance and co-operation given during the past term. Caution would be necessary but the council was used to that, hie thanked the council for its co-opera-tion.

When the question of the chairman’s honorarium came up for discussion, Or. Hedley expressed the opinion that the honorarium should be raised. Or. Maxwell proposed that the honorarium be raised to £7-5. Or: Hedley seconded the motion. Cr. Black spoke in support- of the motion, stating that the extra would be worth while, as it would allow the chairman to travel more. Or.- Burke also spoke in support. Mr. Gault said lie would prefer that the honorarium should remain the same as last year’s. The motion was carried unanimously. The councillors’ expenses were fixed the same as last year. The following were elected a.finance committee: Crs. Gault. Neilson, Moody, Hedley. The date of the ordinary meetings was fixed as provously. General. * Subdivision.—An application for a subdivision of'Mr. Hodgson’s property was approved. The engineer’s estimates were read and discussed. County Financial Review. The revenue for the year just closed totalled £22,400 as against, £22-,000 for. the prevous year. Bates collected during the year amOiunted to £lO, the previous year’s collection being £BB7I, an increased rate eollccton. of £1,7(50. Government- grants received were £4812, as against the previous year’s grants of £4020, Miscellaneous receipts including refunds from, relief scliemd., totalled £6678, the previous year’s figure being £BB-12'. The, total expenditure for tlie past year was £21,738 or £065 Jess than the- revenue. £2075 was expended on Highways maintenance, £1563 on main roads and £2BBB on riding roads. £2,053" (being the Government’s contribution) was expended on subsidised works apart from highways expenditure. Interest and sinking fund payments accounted for £lOls, and hospital levies £1832. To sum up, a general review discloses that the actual bank position at 31/3/38 was £665 better than at 31/3/38. In view *-of the upward fluctuating costs and unstable labour conditions die general financial position of the comity may be regarded as reasonably satisfactory. Chairman’s Report. The following report for the financial. year 1938-30', was presented by the chairman, Mr. TV. A. Gault: — • Perhaps the mo.st outstanding mailer affecting this county during the financial year jus't ended, was the

Itakm'g, over bv the Government of the miiStdCbafst ’highway from the TVaiawa . boundary at ■ stance of 05 jniiles. ,this section ei .Juncl to provide the bridges necessary; out of revenue; and"Jjj ment to undertake dull construction' and maintenance coats;: upon the -conn- , cil contributing £4O0 Bper annum,. Jd distinctly advantageous to the cqUttfffEf*-** Considerable activity lias be- n t\ played by the department in widening - ' and improving the road surface and in bridging the difficult streams. The completion of the Raulcokore bridge is the most recent contribution. Owing to the rapid progress of local body industrial legislation it was found necessary to safeguard ratepayers.’ interests by affiliating with the New Zealand Counties’ Industrial Union of Employers, so, that when eases of dispute arise the council can authoritatively express its views. Works of a major mfture undertaken in the county during the year were,.— the construction of TVaiotahi Valley bridge costing £429, Otara river diversion out £l3O, tlie cost of this hitter work being wholly borne by the department. . Plans and specifications were prepared for a new bridge across the Pakihi Stream and a tender lotto Mr. J. G. Kerr for £912. A free grant of £475 was made for'permanent road work, on Ruatuna road and this work is being proceeded with. A further free grant of £SBO is available for bridging the Mauromoko stream and the construction should be undertaken in the near future. The construction of a new bridge to replace the present old Tirohanga v Bridge is a work to be put in hand " presently, the Government ,contribuc- , ing on a £3 for £1 basis. A scheme of fairly extensive improvements to TVainui Highway is also proceeding at an estimated total cost of £BOO, this work being subsidised on a £3 for £L basis. . Rather more than the usual read, formation and metalling has been carried out, during tlie year, and apart from ordinary road maintenance some (Jr miles of new metalling lias been done, it is a noticeable fact that costs of materials used: by the council such as timber, steel, cement, continue in an upward spiral, while levies, for hospital purposes have increased by over £SOO or .approximately 26 percent. In view of these circunistancesit seems inevitable that the pro.spc't of a further increase in rates for the. current year will have to be reckoned with. While not desiring to .sound a pessimistic note, one cannot but be inclined to the opinion in the face of the shrinkage in values in the overseas markets for our exportable commodities and the consequent lessened spending power available, that- a period*of financial, stringency is approaching. It would therefore appear to be a prudent course to continue to carefully scrutinise all county expenditure and in this regard I have every confidence in the councillors’ co-operation. I am personally indebted to councillors for the cheerful and -valuableassistance extended to me; being very conscious of my limitations during theinitial term as county chairman.