Borough Finances.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 613, 28 May 1891, Page 3

Borough Finances.

A RATE COLLECTOR APPOINTED. At the last meeting of the Council the question of finances came up after the ordinary reports had been read. The Mayor : No further reports ? Mr Warren: No. The Mayor : No payments ? The Clerk: Unfortunately, yes; the Bank manager is getting very anxious about the overdraft. In reply to a question the Mayor said the overdraft would be £2,020. Mr Warren said he contended that the acting-manager should count subsidy as revenue, but he held otherwise. The Mayor said it had been counted nevertheless. He might not meet the cheques though the Connoil passed them. Mr Warren said the general rates were not coming in as fast as they ought to be, and they were losing ground in that respect. He supposed it was because there was not an active officer to collect them. The Mayor said they would have to take action to enforce the prompt payment of rates. At a later period Mr Warren again re ferred to the subject, and said that if sufficient money was not promptly collected there was the danger of the Council losing the subsidy. In the present half-manned condition of the office, proper attention could not be given to the matter; in case of suing, he himself had not the time to appear in Court, and Mr Robinson was under age, The Mayor thought the amount necessary to secure the subsidy would be collected all right. It was not meant to be a rule that anyone from the office should go out to collect the rates, as they should be paid in the office. Mr Warren said he did not mean that anyone should go round collecting; he had tried that, and to his cost, found it a failure. There ought to be some officer who could properly attend to the getting in of the rates. Cr Joyce moved that ait outstanding rates be sued for after May 31. Cr McLernon seconded, considering that the sooner people realised the position the better. The Mayor said there was about £4OO out. Cr Dunlop thought before suing they should ascertain whether they had power in the matter. They rhould not go tcexpense and probably be defeated because they had no iroperly appointed clerk. He moveu that the finance Committee be instructed to consult the solicitor in the matter. Mr Warren said the thing was simple enough, that a rate collector could be appointed. Cr Dunlop said the books were no being audited for a special purpose, and until that were completed he did not think they should sue. It would not be right to sue those who had already paid their rates. He pointed out that the appointment would have to be made with proper security. Tbe Mayor said all money might be paid to the Clerk of the Court, Cr Dunlop said a solicitor might sue, but it would cost more. The Mayor said authority might perhaps be given to the Finance Committee to appoint a collector. Mr Warren said the duty could not be left to a Committee. Cr Whinray moved that a collector be temporarily appointed forthwith, to collect all outstanding rates after the end of May, with power to sue ; all moneys collected to be paid in to Mr Warren, Cr Lewis seconded, Cr Joyce would withdraw his motion if they wished to appoint a colleo’or; all he wished was to see the money got in. Cr Dunlop would oppose Cr Whinray’s motion if it was to be carried irrespective of their position. In reply to Cr McLernon, the Mayor gaid he thought the Committee might deal with the details. Cr Coleman said in regard to remuneration that directly they began suing most of the rates would be paid in. Cr Whinray nominated Mr McKay as the collector, the Committee to arrange as to payments,—Carried unanimously, the security to be £25.