RAGLAN COUNTY

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19897, 28 May 1936, Page 15

RAGLAN COUNTY

ACTIVITIES REVIEWED. | FINANCIAL POSITION 0F coUNclL.i i DEPLETED RESERVE ACCOUNTS.“ - i (Times Representative). ‘ . .\‘GARUAVVAHIA, W'ednesday. ‘ The credit balance In the county fund account Increased during the year by £5122 from‘£lo,3sß to £15,480," said the chairman. Mr H. W. \Viison, reviewing the financial position of the county at the Raglan County Council meeting to—day. "This would appear to be rather a large cash balance to be carrying. ‘ but it Is accounted for by three items which would not occur in a normal financial year," explained Mr Wilson. “ Owing to the Loans Conversion Scheme being financed in tile'year under review, it was necessary for the council to pay only seven months‘ loan Charges instead of the full year, and this meant that loan charges were less by New. This reduction was used in paying off debit balances in the old SGDamte rating area interest accounts and in establishing credit balances in the new riding interest accounts." Another explanation was that while a 100 percent collection was estimated, actually 111 percent 01’ the year's levy had been collected; and another titcm which also helped to Increase the cash balance was an advance of £1425 made by the, Valuation Department against the 1936—37 general rate subsidy. - , . . Depleted Rout-vs Accounts. i “ The reserves in the riding accounts have been steadily depleted over the last ‘lour years, and the council will have to consider seriously this aspect of its finance," observed Mr Wilson. « “ There are now 11119 miles or metalled road In the county, and- '7": bridges of 25ft. and over, and the amount available for the maintenance of roads and bridges has been the comparatively small sum of £B6OO. Even this amount was built up by drav‘ving on riding reserves. “ At March 31, 1932. riding reserves totalled £8625; at March 31, 1936. reserves were £5760, a decrease of £3865, and the current year's estimate provides tor a further decrease to £4255. This, in my opinion, marks the limit to which the reserves can be drawn on. and the only way to avoid further decrease and to ensure that roads are given necessary maintenance is by increasing the general rate. Incl-use Imperative. “ The general rate has been so drastically out during the last five years. while the metalled road mileage doubled and in some ridings trebled, that an increase consistent with ratepayers' ability to pay is imperative,“ declared Mr Wilson. . Hoopltul am. i omcial advice of the levy for the current year had not been received. but an increase of £3OO was antici—pated. The county's hospital rate ar—i count was £l4Ol, in credit, and pro-‘ vided the levy did not exceed the In-{ crease of £3OO the present rate should‘ suffice. Special Rates. The riding Interest accounts out of which all annual loan charges werc‘ paid were in a strong financial posi-‘ tion. and the present rates levied would be sufficient to cover annual loan charges. County Valuations. . ‘ "An investigation of individual values in the county reveals that in some ridings ratepayers have taken advantage of reraluations to have their rates considerably reduced," remarked Mr \Viison. “\\’here special rates were increased. these reductions threw an unfair burden on to other ratepayers. but where rates had been consistently reduced the effect ‘was that the ratepayer with the revaluation secured a bigger relief than his neighbour. The consolidation oi! the old special rat—ing areas and reorganisation of the ofllce staff will now enable the council to take advantage of section 3 of the Valuation of Lands Amendment Act. 1933, and to rate on 25 per cent re—duced values. This will have the effect of offsetting the advantage gained by those ratepayers who had‘ their properties revaiued." Noxious Weeds Control. Control of noxious weeds is now a very definite part of the county's ac—tivities, and it can be accepted as a matter .for congratulation that no farmer in the county has been forced to walk off his holding because of the ‘ spreading of ragwort." continued Mt“ Wilson. “This, unfortunately, has been the case in several counties.‘ but the ratepayers are assured that it is the council's policy to maintain it: wry vigorous campaign against rag:wort.” It was later decided to communi—cate with the Prime Minister as Not—ive Minister, regarding arransrmr‘nts for destroying ragwort on large arms of native land in the county. 1 -_—_:—-___-_—-__._- i