LEVELS COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 16 May 1925, Page 10

LEVELS COUNTY COUNCIL.

ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR. SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL. A special meeting of the Levels County Council was Held yesterday tor In© purpose ot considering the estimates tor thei year. Presoiiß—Messrs T. B. Garrick (chairman), R. G. Cielnnd, IX Grant, 'J'. \V. Brosnahan, G. 1). beibie. and C. E. Kerr. The following estimates of receipts and expenditure tor the ensuing year wore aciopted: ESTIMATED RECEIPTS. £ General Rates ... ... ... 1M66 buosidy on rates ... 26U0 licenses ... 30/ Dos registration fees 2UU Rents idU 'ien per cent, penalty on rates ttu bunuries ••• ••• 3U Contribution from Main Highways j-jouio. , ••• 1380 Contribution troin Local Bodies 126 U Total 22,4511 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE.^ Harbour Levy ‘ 2365 jtiospital Bevy 31)11 balaiues ... J-du'J bmall Birds ... ... 3oU Jnterest on Plant Loan ... 4Uo interest on Bridges Boan ... 3UD Road Ranger • ... ••• Ml Printing,. advertising, station- , - ery, etc. ... 280 Dunedin Exhibition - l( y Bog Cottars and collecting Tax 8U Sundries ••• ••• * 125 insurance Premiums 1 8 inspector of Health ... 53 Rates ••• £4 t ravelling Expenses of members - 50 Rent of lelepnones 32 Donations ’ 30 Repairs to Buildings 30 Typewriter 28 Audit Fees ... 15 Election Expenses 10 Technical Classes ... 7 Main Highways and Bridges ... 6603 Riding Roads 6850 Total ... ’ ... 22,453 The chairman said that the Tengawai riding had finished, the year with a credit balance ot £650, and lie thought it could do with a id rate tor the'ensuing year. Four ot the ridings each had' a debit balance —Waimataitai Jl'oTd Seadown £705; Claremont £136; ami Otipua £166. Tengawai had a credit balance or £650, '■it.ut, ' There would .be a saving this year ot about £3OO in the Harbour levy, and of about £3OO in the' Hospital levy, but that would not make much diftereneo spread over the whole county. Levels Council did npt as a rule have to sutn-, mons for its ratos, but he was afraid they would have to do so '.his year as there was still £450 outstanding in rates. The destruction of small oirds last year had cost them £350, and he did not know whether there was an adequate return for this expenditure. The Council would require to decide whether they would continue to give the 5 per cent, rebate for prompt payment of rates. Their books showed that they would be better off if they did not give i.t. Comparatively few ratepayers tools: advantage of it, and it would pay the Council bettor to pay interest on overdraft.

In reply to a question the chairman said' it would not do to take the ranger .off the roads, and with this all members agreed. Mr Cleland congratulated Mr Brosnahan on the way liei had reduced tho debit balance which stood against his riding when he had taken his seat on the Council. The debit had fallen from £I6OO to £705, and it would probably bo wiped out this year. Mr Brosnahan said vho ratepayers would’ have liked more work done, "and he had had to put up with the criticisms offered. Ho was glad to see the debit balance reduced.

PROPOSED K ATE I OR YEAR. Mr Cleland gave notice to move nt next meeting of the Council“ That the undermentioned rate* bo loviod lor the year ending March ML 1(1x0:-— (N A general rate of 1 l-6d in the £ in the Utipua, oeauoMU., Point and Claremo it ridings, mid ot Jd in the £ in the Teugaw.u riding; A special rate of 1-ltkl in tho £ in the Utipua, Point rnd Olaioinont ridings to provide into rest and linking fund on the loan of £IO,OOO for road work in tnoso ridmgs; \oj mu.iiL-v.. ance rate of (3d pov acre in tho Sor.ciown water-race supply district. general. Tho tender ot .Messrs lubb and Goulding, at £315, tor the reconstruetion of Rockwood and Sutherland stock bridges, was accepted. There was only one tender. Air Brosnahan suggested that they should adopt a new system of cleaning out the water-races, doing the work by contract. Mr Grant said that the. system they had in Ashburton was a very good ono. After discussing the matter with the Engineer, it was decided that the latter and Mr J3rosnahan should go into the matter and report to next meeting of the Council. It was decided to sue for all overdue rates, without further notice; and to give final not'oe to Bios- ' failed to clear the gorse from their road frontages. Air Selbie drew attention to the existence of a high fence on Claremont settlement, which obstructed the view of motorists and constituted a danger. —lt was decided that the Engineer should see that the fence is lowered.