ANNUAL REPORT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 541, 26 May 1933, Page 6

ANNUAL REPORT

CHAIRMAN'S OUTLINE The chairman's annual report, stated, inter alia: — In submitting my annual report for the year ended March 31, 1933, I am pleased to state that although there has been a marked reduction in the p>ercentage of rates collected the county finances are still in a sound position. The county fund account at the end of the year showed a credit , balance of £2834 ls 8d as against £4084 13s lOd for the previous year. The total receipts for the year amounted to £23,484 13s lld and the total payments were £24,810 6s ld. No Government grants were received during the year for the pur- • pose of subsidising loan anoney on new metalling 'but by utilising unernployment relief labour on construction of new roads and improvements to existing roads, much useful work has been accomplished. Details of the work completed are shown on the schedule attached hereto. Further progress has been made by the Lands Department in opening up land for settlement in Ngakuru Blocks and also by the Native DeP'artment on the Atiamuri Road. These schemes will undoubtedly prove of great benefit to our county when settlers arq established. At the present time, however, the question of road maintenance in these localities is a sei'ious problem as these areas are not producing any rate revenue. About 11 miles of newly _ formed roads in Ngakuru and Whirinaki district were handed over to the council l'ast year. The position has been before the Hon. Minister of Lands and application has been made for a Government subsidy for the maintenance of these roads. The council has also been notified that a committee has been set up by the Government to inquire into matters relating to the rating of native lands and your council will have an opportunity to discuss the question of payment of rates on native land development schemes with this committee at an early date. The very serious position which has arisen as a result of local authoi'ities finding it practically impossible to collect rates on large numbers of rateable properties in which the Crown is mterested either as mortgagee or owner, calls for immediate action by the Government. The loss of revenue has becorne a serious menace to local body finance and an injustice to the remaining ratepayers, i.e., freeholders or their mortgagees, who are called upon to make up this deficiency and thus shoulder an additional burden. I would suggest that, as accesa to market is an important part of farming operations, a reasonable solution would be to include county rates as part of the tenant s annual rent as collected by the Crown, the portion assessed as rates to be paid by the Crown to the local authorities concerned. United efforts are being made by all counties in the direction of derating or partial de-rating of farm lands. This matter will be fully discussed at the forthcoming counties conference when representations will be made to the Government. A reduction in rates levied was made for the year ended March 31, 1933, notwithstanding the fact that the 12S p-er cent. subsidy paid by the iGovernment for the previous y$ar, was withdrawn. The rates levied we.-e barely sufficient t0 meet fixed charges and the reduction in the percentage of rates collected shows clearly that until such time as pai'tial deiating comes into operation, no furthei re duction can be made and extreme care must be exercised in the allocation cf future expenditure. Your council, in the interest of the ratepayers, is looking into every p sible avenue as a means of lowering rates, but I again emphasise the ne> essity for outstanding rates to be paid and for the co-operation of all ratepayers in this connection. In conclusion, I express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the members of the council and the staff for their loyal support and assistance to me during my term of office.