MASTERTON COUNTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1941, Page 4

MASTERTON COUNTY

ESTIMATES FOR CURRENT YEAR REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE. RESTORATION OF FLOOD i DAMAGE. The estimates of the Masterton County Council for the year 1941-42, which were passed at a special finance meeting held yesterday, are as follow (shillings and pence omitted): — Receipts—General Account.

RIDING ESTIMATES. A summary of the roading estimates for the various riding accounts is as follows:—

In considering the estimates for the current year the council was faced with the position of providing funds for the restoration of flood damage occasioned to road and bridges during the recent storm. The position of the Upper Taueru Riding where the major damage occurred, after making provision for a Government subsidy, called for an increase in rates of over 50 per cent if (he full burden had to be carried by the riding. After giving the matter careful consideration it | was unanimously decided that £BOO of j the surface damage in that riding should be apportioned over the whole j county, leaving the Upper Taueru tel provide £2OO in cash plus its proportion of the £BOO which in total will amount to £294. In addition, in accordance with the council's policy, the cost of replacing all bridges exceeding 20 feet in span will be apportioned over the whole county. The immediate effect of this decision is that in j addition to providing the whole of the cost of restoring flood surface damage in (he Opaki. Rangitumau. To Whiti, Uriti, and Wainuioru ridings, these ridings will between them assist the Upper Taueru Riding to the extent of 75 per cent of the total cost. The conn- , oil propose giving' consideration to the | whole question of meeting future flood! damage expenditure at an early date. I If no flood damage had been exper- , ienced the council would have been I able to reduce the general rate by I

approximately £lOOO, but having regard to all the circumstances it regards the position as satisfactory that last 1 year’s general rate levy has been at 1 least maintained in all riding's except 1 Upper Taueru, its increase being equal ■ to 17 per cent. 1 The figures included above repre- ’ sent the gross expenditure for the year ■ 1941-42 on maintenance, the subsidies 1 from the Main Highways being in- ' eluded in the several riding accounts, the details of which are not. shown, but aggregate £8,109. COUNTY RATES INCREASE OF £5OO IN TOTAL. The following are the general rates decided upon at a special meeting of the Masterton County Council held yesterday, for the year 1941-42, as

• Receipts Estimated General Rates 1940-41 1941-42 £ £ | Opaki Riding 3.718 3,890 Rangitumau Riding 2,674 2,820 Upper Taueru Riding .... 2,26’6 2.730 Te Whiti Riding 2,457 2,410 Uriti Riding 3,969 3,995 Wainuioru Riding 3,565 3,595 £18,649 £19,440 Arrears 66 90 Government Subsidy on Rates 2.500 2,500 Penalty and Exchange .. 21 20 License Fees 861 765 Sales Metal, etc 3,515 2,000 Motor Spirits Refund .... 652 500 National Prov. Fund .... 664 200 Sundry Refunds 3,345 1,340 Machinery Working Ac. 6,288 6.000 Material ex Stock 3,440 3,500 £40,001 £36,355 Expenditure—General Account. (Principal items only.) 1940-41 1941-42 Estimaditure. ted. £ £ Salaries 2,795 2,970 Superannuation Fund .. 435 450 General Expenses v 1,636 1.810 Timber, Concrete Pipes, 841 1.680 Paving Material 634 250 Holiday Pay 704 800 Wages—Southern Cross. Construction Co. Hospital Job 1,673 200 Plant and Machinery Upkeep 2,284 3,520 Purchase Plant —Instalments M.H.B 1,860 1,630 Benzine and Oil 2,383 2,500 Crushing Plant Working Account 3,064 3,020 Interest Workers’ Dwelling Loan 340 350 Flood Damage 800 Road Works—Bridges .. 32 520 Transferred to Ridings after deducting share of Expenses — Opaki Riding 3.637 2,649 Rangitumau Riding 2,624 1,760 Upper Taueru Riding .... 2,216 ’ 2,058 Te Whiti Riding 2.399 1,511 Uriti Riding 3,912 3,035 Wainuioru Riding 3,502 2,717 £40,001 £36,355

Expend 1940-41. £ Estimated 1941-42 £ Riding roads 8.459 9,575 Waipoua River ... Main Highways 22 250 Maintenance 8.675 10.914 Flood damage G25 And Main Highway .£17.156 £21.364 Sealing 4.258 Nil £21.414 £21.364

compared with last year:—Riding. 1940-41 1941-42 Opaki Id Id Rangitumau .... id id Upper Taueni lid 1.5-lGd Te Whiti 15-16d id Uriti IM 1.5-16d Wainuioru IM IM The following is a summary of the total rates to be levied over the whole county for the year 1941-42 — Rates. Actual levy. Estim. levy. r 1940-41. 1941-42 .Mt £ £ General 19.478 19,446 Hospital 5.516 4.974 Bridge 1.259 2,513 Opaki water supply 282 282 Upper Plain water supply No 1 429 356 Upper Plain water supply No 2 71 Te Orc Ore water supply.... 319 319 Interest — special loans .... 381 349 £27,735 £28,239