THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 6, 2 July 1898, Page 3

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER.

SATURDAY, JULY 2, 1898. "We regret oar space does not permit a full repoit of some remarks made by Councillor Coltman on the Borough Estimates for the current year at the Council meeting on Monday -«vening. The state of matters showed laxity on the part of the Council in dealing with a 1 very important subject., Mr Coltman characterised the way in which the Council dealt "with the Estimates, as farcical. Some of the items were set down as a matter of form, to , -show a necessity for striking in this case, a Is rate. Ho considered that only such works as were absolutely necessary should be estimated *,nd care should be taken to carry out the same. On another occasion we shall show from the estimates and balance-sheet that Mr •Coltman's strictures were amply justified. Our purpose now is to state shortly what the law lequires and how the Gouncil complies with, or to speak more correctly, evades it. The Eating Act provides" that before*, general jrate can be struck necessity for such rate must be shown by an estimate of the proposed expenditure drawn up - for such a purpose. After the estimate passed by the Council, if the revenue (apart from rates is not found sufficient to meet the amount required then a rate can be struck. For instance, suppose the -estimates are LBOO, while the revenue apart from rates is L6OO, then the amount to be raised by a rate would be L2OO. The question then is, what rate will produce L2OO, If the rateable value of the Borough is LBOOO then a rate of 6d in the pound would be sufficient. For once the law is not & " hass," but has common sense in it. The intention is plainly that local bodies shall only levy rates first proved necessary. The Waimate Borough Council apparently arrives at the required rate by the method of topsyturvydom. First the revenue outside of rates is ascertained and to this is added the amount which would be produced by a shilling rate. The Council then proceeds to. spend the money. This method, beside being probably illegal is certain to be wasteful. ,, Instead, of the rates being required to pay for necessary works, wdrks have to be found on which to spend the rate, and «o that whioh should be done is overlooked, Qalj »t lust ueatinf a motion xtu carried to

have the large stones removed from a portion of High street, a day's work for a couple oj men. Fancy a Council with a credit balance requiring a special resolution for such a work. Has the Borough Engineer not power to do so much on his own responsibility ? It is time Councillors were more wide-awake and saw the need of attending closer to the dutiei of their position.