COUNTY FINANCE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 409, 16 April 1937, Page 5

COUNTY FINANCE.

SATISFACTORY POSITION. Rate Collections for' Current Year. County rate collections for the current year improved by 1.25 per cent, and harbour -rate collections by 2.53 per cent., stated a report presented by the clerk, Mr. A. Campbell, to today’s meeting of the Stratford County Council. He considered that this was quite satisfactory, particularly as there was no rebate available, and several payments were held up -where ratepayers had made application under the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, 1936. The county fund account at March 31 showed a credit of £2677/2/6 as compared with a credit of £1217/7/6 at March 31, 1936, Mr. Campbell reported. The position was therefore very satisfactory, particularly in view of the increased costs which had to be met during the year. During the year he applied for and received an advance of £1875 on the subsidy on rates payable by the Government for the year 1936-37. As this subsidy in the past had not been received until after the end of the financial year, this amount must be deducted from the credit to make a true comparison with the balance as at 31st March, 1936. Councillor S. Pitt drew attention to the expenditure in the East riding of £2803 as compared with the estimate of £1740. He considered that councillors should be informed when the limit of expenditure was being exceeded. Councillor L. Stanford (East riding) complained that he was not in a position from month to month to know what was being spent. He maintained that he should have been informed of what was happening. Mr T. R. Anderson (chairman): You were in a position. You knew when the extra work was being done that the council was overspending. The chairman: I have been a long time on this council, and all I can say is that you have not been watching the job. Councillor Stanford: I am not objecting. All that I want is to be kept in closer touch with what is being done. There was not another council in Taranaki where members were in closer touch with the work, said Mr. Anderson. Several suggestions were made to meet the position, but no resolution was passed. The chairman said the council could be congratulated on its finances. Present were: Councillors T. R. Anderson (chairman), H. C. Taylor, J. C. Best, C. J. Skitrop, B. Hutchen, G. Jensen, W. H. Were, L. Stanford W. Vickers, and S. Pitt,