OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, 16 April 1923, Page 3

OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT.

The Town Clerk (Mr Davies) oi Thursday presented liis report as fol lows: —- ‘‘l have the honour to report as un dor: —The balance-sheet for general ae count is presented for your considers tion. On the receipt side the mail matters calling for attention are the rates and Government subsidy. I: will be noted that the latter is over £3O more than we received last year. The Government subsidy is paid on the amount of current rales, collected up to June, therefore persons owing rates should par as early as possible, 1 e make this year’s subsidy greater than Inst. The balance of current rates owing on Maroll .list, l;*-,.!, was £,,07 11s Id against AS:'5 is -Id the previous year. Of the latter amount £‘>33 Is 4d was collected as arrears. The old spe cial rates, viz.. No. 1. 2, o, 4, are same ns usual with the exception that Mo. 4 has been converted from n debit to a credit, and over the special area will result in a decrease next year. The Antecedent Liability Loan has a credit balance which will result in a decrease in this special rate throughout the borough next year. The credit is due to decreased expenditure on street formerly expected. There is also an item of £51.7 os received by general ac-

count from water works, this fifing the amount lent prior to the loan money

being raised. On the expenditure side full details are shown, and are .much the same as former years. The total expenditure last year was £3178, as against £2501 for the year just completed, mainly due to decreased cexpenditure on street maintenance, lighting, hospital, lew and bank interest on general account. With the new finance Act it is com pul so ry to keep the expenditure within the limits of income for each year. We are well within the margin, when tinassets and liabilities are compared. Water-Works. —The mains have now been laid up to Mcutere House, and tenders called fur laying up * ll Office. A few men have been kept on to complete details at the intake and line of route. Sewerage work. —A large supply o> pipes have arrived. I regret that, owing to the end of the financial year, am. further coining elections, it has not beei possible to complete my drawings am. specifications, but they will ho ready for the first meeting ol the new cotimjl in May.