Merging of Road Boards.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 188, 4 July 1916, Page 1

Merging of Road Boards.

| TO THE EDITOR."]

Sir,—According to the Franklin County Council's circular to the ratepayers of the Karaka and Maungatawhiri Road Districts there is a loss to the ratepayers of the County of about £llß7 in Government subsidies, due to the continued existence of Koad Boards in the above-men-tioned districts, about £175 out of this total loss being borne by the Mauku Hiding, which includes Karaka. According to the valuations Karaka's share of this £175 should be about £BO. In estimating the amount of loss the Council leaves out of account the half of the 10s in tbe £ subsidy on rates up to i'd now payable to the Karaka Koad Board. This year the Road Board's share of the subsidy will be about £ 120, the same amount going to the Council. By merging karaka would lose this £l2O, so that so far the district would have a uet loss of about £4O. Against this, however, must be set the working expenses of the Road Board, viz., collecting rates, advertising, etc., which amount to about £IOO. Some of this, though not all, would be saved by merging, but on the contrary, the cost of supervising the district roads, laying out work,

etc.. would he increased. There reI mainr, to be couriered the question of cost of work done by the Franklin County Council. I think the comparison will turnout in favour of the Road Board, though theoretically it should be the other way about. .On the whole it appears that Karaka would lose financially by merging at present. Certainly, provided the Ridings remain as they are now, it would lose control of its own revenue.—l am, etc, W. H. GLASSON.