HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, 20 June 1923, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

♦ XHi: KATES REDUCED. I IYLLY DISCUSSION UE WIROKINO ESTIMATES. A special meeting cd the Lloro wlmiukl county commit was neld m ttu uuiungu tuumuas Oil lu cw sjdiT the estimates lor Hie coming your, me cliiunuau, Air G. A. Mona, presided, and Uiere were aioo present. o.rs. Jensen, catley, Bruner, ttydei, liiyam, Harkness, wiiyle ami Bioau belt. iiie chairman in opening the meettil; tain liiul it must clemiy he under .smod that the estimates were merely an estimation ui lire money propose, to jie .spent, and .were no' iiiurl. ii. so. we eases more might pc lequireu ana 1.1 other eaten, jets. Lip to «• cei .am point money could he oprean uijotit between die different roans in a riding ag it- was moot required. in Uiougnt tiiat it would be ugieed tint, wiiilsl everything possible had beor. dune to reduce the rates, provision hadM.'t'en made to keep the roads in good order. That was Hie j»b loi winch the Couucil was elected —10 set that the roads wore maintained. Tin general thing was to keep expeiiditmx and tlten blame the Enghieet bat it was better to make proper provision lor tho necessary upkeep in tin first place as once the reads got ou oi repair the expense was intintlely greater. GENEAL ESTIMATES. In regard lo the item td £SOO on tin general estimate lor the Engineer’s eat lor the coming year, the chairman explained that the present ear was about done, having already done 18,001) mile, in the year and nine months in which it had belonged to the County; £l5O of ibis sum was the estimated upkeep for the year, and the question was whether it was not better to give the present ear the engine of which was jjood, in part-payment for a new one, ami avoid the heavy cost of repairs necessary lo keep a, worn-out car going tor another year. The upholstery was worn out n.s were the mudguiairds and it required a complete overhauling. besides which at the end of another vear the value of the car would bo nil - . He considered it would be better to sell it now whilst aj had a certain value. Crs. Harkness and Galley protested against spending money on a new ear at present, and the amount was eventually allowed to- pass on the understanding that, before a new car was < purchased, the matter should be con- - sidered fully by the Council. The remaining items amounting to 1 £7057 were passed after a, general di ; • russion of items, the riding apportion- j incuts being;— _ ■ Tokomaru T; LOU. ( Wirokino £~B<ti Otaki To lloro £l2aG . ui ding estimates (tokomaru. ilie chairman asked ii the sum oi i £llsO quoted by the County Clerk as outstanding rates represented the actual amount c»f the sum estimated a recoverable. The County Clerk explained 'ha: this was merely the money which might be looked upon as a safe asset. There were a percentage of men from whom it. would l>c foolish to expect Ky recover rates and it writs as welt to recognise the fact. He quoted the case of the soldier setters on Ibe Heights Setlement who liad gone out of their farms, the land now belonging | to the Crown, and from the Government. they had very little hope of recovering these rates. Cr. Harkness contended that the Council .should endeavour to get some definite settlement of this question There should be some way of loading the land with the money. The chairman said that this was being done, but they could not go too far with the Government. As for the general amount outstanding it- was not desired 1o be too hard with genu inv cases of inability to pay, but there were some men who could pay an did not. These men the Council wn keeping in view, and would have tr take harsh measures with before long. Cr. lensen said the time was nbon due when returned soldier? should bo treated as ordinary citizens. They were retting revaluation now. wliir should put them on a reasonable footing. and they should then he responsible for money owing. As for the cases where men bad lefl their farm? the Government, should bo held re sponsible for the outstanding rates. The chairman explained that. thm could not he done. The question wa~ a Dominion-wide one and the genera opinion was that, the Counties woun have to face the loss. L'nder the teValnaHon scheme, men had either U par up or leave ihe farms. WIROKINO RIDING. Considerable discussion arose over the items oi this riding’s estimate;-. Cr. Broadbelt contending that -the allocations made in many instances were insufficient, and Crs. Harkness am. Cat ley prutestig against an increas; Which would necessitate an increase oi rate over the Jd in the £1 or; wthieh ihe estimates were based. The first, estimate to come up foi discussion was that of £-15 for tin Florida road. Cr. Broadbelt- contending that this sum was inadequate. rr Harkness agreed Ihat that was perhaps so, but, Said the assignment for the Bill ter, Bolton and Brace roads £SO. was more than was necessary, and some of this could ho spent on the Florida road. In the case of the grant of £'-0 ioi the Upper and Lower Queen stiet. roads Cr. Broadbelt moved that an increase of £.lO he made, and said that apparently it was the intention t<> starve the roads. Cr. Catley seconded the motion. f.r. Harkness said that there was no intention to starve any road. The amounts estimated might seem smu.in some eases compared with last year's,grads. rather a case of over-^tim*,dirila*t s ysa r. Wlien had given a guarantee at election time to reduce the rates, he had gone over the riding and formed his own estimates, which were approximately fife same as those brought forward bv the Engineer. The duty oi thy Council was to make the rates as light a S possible. They were sent in w" ! a mandate to bring the rates down as low as possible. Cr. Catley said that when & jd rate was decided on, he thought they were providing for all reasonable requiremerit, Their duty wa; to keep ex penses down and help those peoptt Who were struggling to make a Uv Broadbelt contended that jh statement that the requirement? of th ridin" had been over-estimated lavear was incorrect. He wanted a rat 'of r‘,i and considered that anythin less" was Insufficient. V™ Hi upkeep of the main roads f niaied at £125 per mile. This year w£s suggested that it he done for wWch was impossible Some o th roads were in a very bad cond arid must be done thoroughly if the were to be kept in decent order. Cr. Harkness said that the fact the rbe presept estimates were low M mwlng to • the use of machinery nr year which had put the roads into satisfactory condition, where - could he maintained for £4o_P e rm -< The motion that the grant b®

creased was then' put and carried. in regain to me wmn.ee im*d, Gi. uioadlielt. askea mat me an.uuru .0“ me estiinaies no .menm-cu. awa Eiu ,o £l2O, as i.i was ahsunnuy impossible .i> do anyuung saiimar-iory u-.n me sum piopu.eu. , ~ , , Gt'. liynei : i would auggeot dial die ’ Engineer give his opinion on ,a< c suncr. Harkness: That, ha* already ■ jeen done in this estimate. Cr. Broadbelt said that he did not, .igx-ee that tins was so. He though* lie engineer had been asked to bi-ng down estimates which would id m ' .vitli id in the £1 rate. 'pne chairman said that tins appeal.■d io bq die ease. He asked a the engineer would not have liked to liav e x larger amount to work on. pile Engineer said that lie thought .• could about keep the toad in their .resent stale for die amount pru’.jsed, but would like more. The motion was seconded by gi. lenseii and carried. ...... iteguidmg the estimate ol ~'o lo .he Waiturere road, the Engineer explained that tins amount was made- ( [date to do 'anything really woiih while witli die road, but some oi the mu.mg 3 could be opened out and la--, ohiixig done which would be an aUvan- I .age to the sellers affected. i H dm 1 rains were cleaned out it would die P j considerably. He had suggested o j he settlers that they apply lor special loan, and would meet them next week to discuss Hie matter. | 1 E.suI.NEEIGB UDINIUN. I Gomiiig 10 me quc.dton oi the Otouru 1 t ., a i x.t. BruadPeil ttskeu die , 'i" mcer tin ougi i the Chairman, u ..'. ‘"mu allocated would oe suincient I I ,o repair tins road. . , ' < Cue Engineer said that, iraiiklv lit | -■ did not tmnk so. He leli radier Keen- , .- ,v about this mallei', as his reputation; i was at stake to a certain degree k | • uud hxed these estimates at a id tate i om was alt'.aid that he could not carry , l on saiisl'actorily on this sum. G‘wauid prefer an id increase He had | oeen accused of mei'liciency last J • ' j because he could not keep the rom s | (pen it would he the same tins \tai. ( , unless he had the money. - Gr Catley while adnutung I i there had been criticism, saul n had _ ( mil, as far as lie was coiiceine . heu levelled against the Engineer, ills own opinion was that the. roads showeil a great improvement since Mi Andiisnn toot; them over. . . Cr. Harkness said that the cnticsm had arisen because ton much, not been use too little money was being spetn. There had been a lot of c-nUc ism o the Engineer which really should I'M been levelled against the Council, " der whose instructions he was work- * £ ‘“n- Barber said that the amount had e evidently been brought down on the recommendation of the Coundllois for j, the riding who wished to keep dn n expendUmo. He considered that the % Engineer should state what, he consulered necessary for the work. I s - Regarding the mam road Horn l-gviti lo the North boundary. Cr. BroadiieM a-ked that the estimate be increased from £4OO to £650; and he moved a<- j( a cr! n Harkne.ss opposed the motion stating that the road only required s patching in places to be kept in oraet uni ihe sum suggested was ample (] for the purpose. I The Engineer said that, the portion v from Shannon for 2& miles towards t.evin was absolutely done. Ho estt- p ninloil that, five yards of metal to tut stlain would be necessary on this portion He advocated an increase m the „ allocation, saying ilint if this were h made he would endeavour to carry on , with the amount,, suggested for .he p other roads. , .. v Cr. Whyte seconded the motion, f which was, carried. . levin to South Boundary—l lie chairman slated that he would Rke to see the tarring finished on this road from the present, work to the Borough boundary. Cr. Harkness opposed Hits. Ihe ' present work was done as an expenin out, in cost, at upkeep. It should he I li-.fl, for that, purpose ami conjpared w ith the remainder of Ihe road which had been put down with the same foundation but not sealed. Cr. Cat,lev supported this view. ! r the work was eventually decided on n loan should he raised, not. do it, out of revenue. Cr. Broadbelt. spoke in favour of Hie chairman’s suggestion and moved jlifd the grant, he increased by £206 for this purpose.—Carried. GKNEBAT. BATE DISCUSSED. 1 * The chairman said that the csti- l mates had been increased by’ £6OO. There was a letter from the Borough Council to ihe effect that, the Railway , Department was prepared to pay lull . the cost of putting in tho Kawiu road J subway if the local bodies would slip- ! plv the o?har half. If they were going to'do this ii would he necessary to increase the proposed rate by Jd, bringing it up to Jd. This would bring in another £IOOO. Cr. Broadbelt moved that, an increase of £225 be made in fho_ estimate, ns provision for the Kawiu road subvnv. The estimated cost of the work was £OOO and the Railway Department had stated that they were willing to pay half. This was seconded hvC.r. Barber and carried. The chairman said the position before the Council now' was that, there was an estimated expenditure for the riding of £10.571 and only £0954 based on a 3d rate, to meet it. with. Tf tlie> I did riot, make ii bnlnnre the councillors were individually and collectnek responsible for the difference. • ! cr Harkne=s said that as councillors j for the riding they were the .representatives of the ratepayers, and then dutv was to keep the rates as low a- ! possible. He proposed an increase of j 1.16 c! which would give an additional revenue of £SOO and would be sufflcij ent it would he £' 0 short of amendedI estimates hot hy economy could be ! ma-io tn do. Oil ihe suggestion nt the chairman ho moved' that the council ! 1, ,»r be Wh'bdtio riding retire and „o u, . • um’ or of the general , r'\ C r rvibev seconded the motion I j , V I ; 1 1 -b CC h P Sh OW Of h 3U d S. '! rj'c ...bairn -an then moved that the irate for the Wi/okino Hiding be m- ' cr pasecl hy Jd_, bringing it to 5 d in tl.< Cr. Rvder seconded. ~ rr Harkness moved an amendtno’ 1 whicliCr. Catley seconded, that the 1 rate he increased by l-16d onlv. I'-. I 1 was lost, and the motion that the in, be increased hv Jd carried. | 5 OTAKI AND TE HORO RIDINGS. » The Otaki and Te lloro Ridings e went through with only general discussion and die following motion pro- ;- posed by trie chairman and seconded e by Cr. Ryder was carried: “That ihe estimates as now considered be passed by tlie Council. Genera] estimates ie £7557, les, £SOO receipts. ie Tokomaru Riding.—Receipts £7OBO. st expenditure £6742; Wirokino. receipts te £10,951, expenditure £10.571 : Otaki retg ceipts £4242, expenditure £4210: Te ie - Horn £5015, expenditure £5014. :j. Further resolutions were carried, as it follow: 5, Proposed by Cr. Monk, seconded by to Cr. Ryder ‘that public notice he given n, Hi accordance with section 50 of the » v Rating Act, 190? and aisq of .section 120 of the Counties Act, 1S«J0. that it is at intention of the Hor&whenua as Cornty Council to strike general and , t e'cparaie rates fn the respective riding* a of the Horowhenua County Council a V tor the period froth the first dav oi e a oril 1023, to the Slst day of March n- 1924, 'namely Tokomaru general rad

of £d in the pound; Wirokino general rate of gd ; ©tali! general rate i'll; Te 1-loro |(1; m terms of the Water dapply Act, 1907; and of the Rating- Act, 1908, a separate rata of Jd in the £; and in the iUutere water race dlstT-i&t a separate ratfc of Jd in the £, alt the foregoing- rates upon the capital values of the rateable properties in the respective ridings and wateir rate dis-' tricts as aforesaid. The same to he-; come due and payable iri one instai- 1 inent on ihe let day of August, 1923. Proposed by Cr. Broadbelt, seconded by Cr. Catley, that the chairman (Cr. Monk) be the Horov,-henna. County Council’s representative at the Counties‘ Conference to tie held in Wellington next week. Proposed by Cr. Harkness, seconded ' i v Cr. Broadbelt, “That reply he sent to t.hc Levin Borough Council that ftie ( mm.-il is prepared to find one-fourth | ■ ' tli ■ total cost of the construction of the Kawiu. road subway under /i» . railway tine, after v*;untary tien-trlfe-w-' tior>« ‘ i been deducted from the local .’-odie share of the cost, i Proposed by Cr. Jlreadhelt, second-1 ed by Cr. Harkresp. that a grant of j £ls be made to Victoria- College Coun- . cil on behalf of the T.evin Branch ofthe W.K.A. | The customary vote of thanks to tdle chair concluded the mealing. ! WiROKINO RIDING ESTIMATES. I, Following a e details of the Wire-, kino estimate, ay amended. The c-sti-1’ mates for other riding will be published lated : i .SUMMARY OF ftXPUNMTUnii. j £ i Dr. balance 31/3/J923 .‘til Public Works estimates 5915 * Share hospital and general e-x. -2876 i Antecedent liability, interest and j repayment 1066 , Machinery and plant, working 1 account 300 ' Boundary roads and contingen- , u cies 10ft I j £10.571 j ;l AXTICIPATF.iI UFA i XI I. |f £ |o Arrears, general •rate 2500 / Subsidy on rates 800 i Refunds due from .loans, etc. ... 50ft j a Grant re Oliau bridge 154 j a CviO-M j " General rate id 7000 0 d £lo,osti I]j I'IiOPUSKI) PUBLIC WORKS J-.XPF.N- 1 N niTUHK IX WIROKIXO. Oban west road £6O, Ktiku soldiers' ' adlioment. road £ls, Hogg’s road £ls, | * Allan cast, road (loan in hand £150) ; I Florida road £IS, Miihunon east, road | C. 10, Mubunoa west road -CCO, Mel'.oov- 1 , 5v road £2O. Oban township £ls, Kim- i 1 rl.ey road £OO. Tararua. road' £7O. 11 biller, Bolton and Bruce roads £SO. | i leach roa-d £BO. Arawliata road and . . bains £SO, Arapaepae road (Miihimofl j Ntst. to Queen street) £3O, Gladstone “ road £2O, Upper and Lower Queen t streets £SO. Fairfield roads £ls. Kawiu ], road £2O. Wallace road £l2O, Potts road £BO, Tleafherlea: F,a.=t road £3». ,• . Tavistock road £MO, [leatherlea corner \ • n ftoputaron £BO, Koputaroa to Levin-j h [•'oxt.iai road £IOO. Pa iaka road f r, >. i A'aitarere road £OO. otoura. road £IOO. i sand road off Ilokio Reach £7O. ! v Main road =.—T.win to North Bnw»- i t lary (8 miles' £650, l evin 1o South • j Boundary (5 miles) £SOO, T.evin to j Wirokino bridge (0 miles) £230. plant ■ £6O, fenfing. drains, etc.. £7O. river : * prelection £BO. wages £I3OO, coutin-j , p-pnrior £2OO. j j ' Bridges.—Potts road £? £370. iron- : work in bridges, spikes, etc.. , £OO i hridg--> timber for small b 1 -dgcp (£BOO t £3OO. Oban bridge £SO. culvert*. p:ii«|S % Mr.. 0150. far £l5O. «nndries £SO. Kr. win subway £225: total £5915. PEW BATHS COMPARED VTIt LAST YEAR. i

HVjn-2-i 1023Ol.aki Hiding ... ?d 1d wiroldno Hiding Id T’-ikornarn Hiding .... Ifl Te I Toro Hiding ... id V i