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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1251, 19 January 1883, Page 2

The figures quoted by Cr. Gannon at the meeting af the Cook County Council last evening clearly prove that the movement towards retrenchment was not made one moment too soon. There is no use disguising the facts, and as a danger boldly faced loses half its terror, we were pleased to see that the financial difficulties of the Council were taken into consideration last night, when Cr. Gannon’s motion in reference to the absolute necessity which existed for a reduction in the salaries of the officers of the Council came on for dis cussion. It was an unpleasant task, but it had to be done by some one, and Mr. G-annonstepped forthand revealed a plain unvarnished statement of the position they stood in, and proved by figures. The liabilities of the Council up to the 3] st of March, 1883, not including provision for new works, nor for tenders accepted that evening, were put down in round numbers ar £ 1,200 ; against this assets art —t he l J overi» ment grant to be received of £1,373, and the revenue from other sources calculated from the most favorable point of view, assuming that every penny (ff the rates due are paid, that all dogs are register d and the fees received, that, in fact, on the 31st of March not one single farthing is owing to the Council, £2,313 —making a total of £2,686. This, then, would cause a defioiency of say £1.500. This would, of course, be an overdraft; that is, presuming the Bank would honour the County’s cheques that would be due by March 81st. It must be distinctly understood that upon this sum the ratepayers have to pay 10 per cent interest. This is not a very bright outlook, and the only way to make the prospect clearer is ! retrenchment. There is nothing what ever to prevent the Manager of the Bank treating the county as he would a private individual, and ’* clew them up” at any moment. Mr Gannon deserves the greatest praise for having taken the initiatory step, and we are

pleased that the Chairman of the Council recognised this and stated it at the meeting. That something must be done is evident, and we trust that I bv the next meeting of the Councillors they will each and all bring forward some suggestion, the object of which will be to either decrease unnecessary expenditure or increase the ! receipts.