GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10558, 14 February 1912, Page 5

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

THE MINISTER'S ANXIETY.

The following rather significant communication from the Lndeivfeecretary of Public Works was read at the meeting of the Masfcerton County Council yesterday t—"l havfj the honour to urge upon you the necessity or forwarding as early as possible to. ilie Department's local engineer all claims (progress or final) for works which are in hand or have, been carried out by your Council under Government grant. The financial year, as vou are doubtless aware, closes on 31st March. , The "Treasury Department usually closes its books so far a.s votrchers-for payment are concerned, from a week to ten, days prior to .-that date; so that any;: vouchers .-.which do-not -reach, the Department (Head Omee) by about, the 15tli of that month-will be in danger of not. being included in the current financial year's expenditure, and may conse- ; quently have to" be re-provided for on the ensuing year's estimates. The Minister is anxious to show an. expenditure approximating as nearly as possible the amount voted, and, to -enable this to be done, it is desirable that all local authorities entitled to any payment for road work executed ' tinder Government grant, should actually draw the money before the end of the financial year, so that the expenditure may appear ,in th.e current year's accounts. TH© Minister would; be glad, therefore, if local bodies would apply as quickly as possible for any progress or final payments that may now be due, and also forward, without delay, claims for any furthor payments that may be duo 'before the, close of the financial syear."