COUNTY FINANCE.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3557, 21 May 1880, Page 2

COUNTY FINANCE.

(To the Editor of the Erenihg Star.)

Sib, —Will you kindly permit me space to correct the erroneous statement I made in your issue of 17th inst, when alluding to the Thnmes County expenditure since January, 1877, as being over ninety thousand pounds. The County Treasurer has pointed out that various amounts though placed ie the balance-sheet* (as published) under the heads of receipts and expenditure ought not to be actually so taken, and showed me a letter in which he most clearly refuted my statement, but as same has not yet been published, I presume it was not deemed prudent to do so: thus the error. After eliminating the mystical figure*, the actual receipts (leaving out odd shillings and pence) are £71,173, out of which £43,863 is charged against all County works—roads, bridge*, water-race, Sec, while £6857 appears as charges under the heads of salaries, travelling and legal expenses, valuations, commissions.* stationery, advertising and sundries, "the balance of £20,453, as expended on the Pump, interest to bank, refund of Borough gold duty* highway liabilities, water supply, &o. Those figures strengthen the arguments against the past working of the County Acton the Thames. However, lam given to understand that a more careful supervision over the expenditure on County funds is now Jbeing carried out, and that future results are expected to give more general satisfaction till such a time as a better and less expensive system of local government is initiated. Trusting no personal feeling will be engendered by thus ventilating public matters, I am, &c,

Alex. Hums. Grabumstown, 21st May, 1880.