COUNTY FINANCES

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20508, 26 May 1938, Page 14

COUNTY FINANCES

WAIKATO AREA’S DEBIT EXPENDITURE ON PLANT A review of the financial position ' of the Waikato County as at the end ! of March, 1 938, was given by the i chairman, Mr .T. A. Sampson, at the ; annual meeting of the Waikato County Council yesterday, “The financial year closed with a debit balance at the bank of £3285, compared with a credit balance on [ March 31, 1937. of £2584,” said Mr i Sampson. “This is due partly to the ; fact that it. has been necessary to ad- ‘ vance £3390 to certain loan accounts ! pending the raising of further funds. I It should also he borne in mind that j an additional sum of £3 400, in addition to the estimate for this item, was ' expended on plant.” •Continuing, the report stated that 1 the collection of current rates amount- j ed to £24.904, while arrears amounting, lo £6218 were also to hand. The i figures for the previous year were ! £21.499 and £4843. The current rate: collected during the year represented j 87 per cent, of the amount levied. There had been a noticeable increase in receipts from heavy traffic and motor drivers’ licenses, the total last , year being £3760, compared with ! £3007 in the previous year. The net ! expenditure from the general account i was £22.540, the estimate being £21.-j 060. The difference was more than j accounted for by the additional ex- ; penditure on plant. “I am afraid that some ridings may find it necessary to raise their rates for the ensuing year,” continued Mr Sampson, who gave details of the riding balances. “I think it will also be necessary for the council to consider increasing the staff in the engineering department.” POSITION AT RAGLAN ALLOCATIONS OVERSPENT CHAIRMAN'S NOTE OF WARNING “Although rates have been overspent in practically every riding, •. nevertheless I do not think the council should depart from its plant maintenance policy,” said Mr 11. W. Wilson, chairman of the Raglan County Council. in his report at the annual meeting at Ngaruawahta yesterday. “Some of the riding debit balances give cause for alarm and if riding members go on over-expending their allocation, it means that the council is heading for the abortion of riding accounts.” added Mr Wilson. A notice of motion to strike the rates for the ensuing year at the next meeting of Ihe council was given by 11 1 e chairman. The rales, on the average, showed a slight riseThe election of officers resulted: — chairman, Mr H. W. Wilson; finance committee. Messrs A. Colnturne. It. W. Wilson, It. Johnstone. W. A. 11. Murray, M. j. Corcoran and L. Logan; Port Waikato Harbour Board committee. Messrs If. W. Wilson, A. •Cobourne. R. J. Glasgow, L. Logan, W- A. 11. Murray and E. Lowe; Raglan Harbour Board committee, Messrs H. W. Wilson. M. J. Corcoran. 11. Johnstone. F. C. Johnstone. W. Vernon, P. «. Kirk, and W. R. Moore: representative on No. 2 District Main Highways Council, Mr W. A. 11. Murray.