RAGLAN COUNTY FINANCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 163, 7 April 1916, Page 4

RAGLAN COUNTY FINANCE.

The Raglan 'Cjunty Council's i balance-sheet for the year ending March 31, 191G, shows that the receipts ainounttd to £25,933 6s Bd, and the expenditure to £22,915 Is 2d. Of the latter amount £14,880 13s tid Las been expended on metalling and improvements to the various county roads and bridges. The European rates for the past year amounted to £10,373 lis 9d, all of which was paid by March 9. This is the eighth successive year that all European rates have been collected, and in each year before March 31. The rates due from natives amounted to £llOO is, of which £lll 17s 8d only has been paid, and nearly 75 per cent of this was paid by Europeans interested iu the lands affected. Arrears of native rates lor the years 1913-1 I, and 1914-15 amounted to £2138 <is 'id on April 1, 1915, and during the past year £238 19s 3d has been paid, mainly by Europeans who have taken over the lands by way of sale or lease, At present the large sum of £3179 5s Id is outstanding for rates duo by natives for the past three years, and the council's solicitors are now taking the necessary steps to sue or issue liens, in accordance with the provisions of the Eating Amendment Act, 1913. Though no actual cash result may be obtained for same time, in all cases the land will be loaded with tho rates which have accumulated to March 31, 1910 As in the past, the native generally has made no attempt to voluntarily pay his rates, although many are in a position to do so. At tho same time, however, he does uot hesitate to make full use of the roads and bridges of the county. Tho only redeeming feature is that each year a certain amount of native land is passing iuto European occupation, which progress is probably slow, but still provides the best remedy for this native rating question, as not only does tho local body obtain its rates but a larger area of land is made productive.

Tho cost of administration of the clerk's department for the past year was under 3per cent., while the cost of engineering was under 7 per cent, on the amount expended on roads and works. For the past five years the cost of administration of the clerk's department has averaged 3 por cent, por annum on total revenue, and the cost of engineering has averaged 5 per ceut. per annum on the amount expended on roads and works.