THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1880.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 23 July 1880, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISH ED TRI-WEEKLY. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1880.

Ik accordance witfe an understandino: arrived at at the previous meeting, the County Council met last nigbt for the purpose of taking into consideration the present financial position of the Couuty, and tbe ways and means of the future. It was very late whsn the members met, and we are therefore unaware of the determination arrived at. Tbere is no doubt, however, that the rtuation is by no meana free from difficulty- The bank overdraft ia not a heavy one, but there are consider- J able liabilities running upon the main>- j tenance coutracts, Up to witbin very lately the Council relied implicitly upon receiving from the Government the usual subsidy upon tbe present year's rates, tbe amount, £2,500, having become due to the Couucil under the " Financial Arrangements Act, on the SOth of April last. At the eleventh hour, however, intimation is given that this overdue subsidy will not be paid. The cutting {.way unexpectedly of such a large asset could nofc but plunge the County affairs into confusion, but it remains yet to be seen whether payment of the subsidy cannot be actually enforced at law. The amount would no doubt go a long way towards setting off tbe debts of the County, and there is little fear therefore, that the claim to- ifc will be allowed to slumber. For our own part, we believe tbat the delay wbicb baa taken place in the delivery of the Bablic Works Statement, and in tbe presentation of the Local Finance Bills has arisen in consequence of the absolute necessity which has been forced upon tbe Government of modifying tbeir original proposal. For tbis reason we tbink it would be wise for tbe Council to postpone action for a few days.