THE VISIT OF SIR W. JERVOIS.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 178, 7 December 1877, Page 6

THE VISIT OF SIR W. JERVOIS.

The- Governor sent down a message to the House on Monday, containing- a long' correspondence between himself and Ministers regarding 1 the visit, of Sir W. Jervois and Colonel Scratchley. Sir W. Jervois asked, that the Hinemoa should be sent to Hobart Town for him. Ministers refused, and in further correspondence, say that, in the present financial condition of the Colony, no money can be spared for external defence, and ask the Governor to indefinitely postpone the visit from Sir W. Jervois. The Governor, in reply, expressed great regret, and says such conduct will not tend to raise the credit of the Colony abroad, and he asks the correspondence to be laid before ParliMnent. EATING ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Rating- Act Amendment Bill consists of 9 clauses. Clause 3 provides that there sliall be one valuation roll for the entire County, which is to be prepared by the direction of-.the County .Council, and paid for by County funds. Clause 4 provides that all rates are to be made on this roll, which is to remain in force for three years. "Where there are subdivisions of a district a separate roll is to be made to each. Clauses 6, 7, and 8 are unimportant. Clause 9 provides that notwithstanding anything in the Act, whenever by nny particular enactment which would have continued in force but for the passing of the Act the ratepayers of any road or highway district are authorised in any manner to fix the amount of the road or highway rate to be levied for. the current year in the district, such ratepayers shall continue to have such power in the same manner as if the said Act had not been passed, and the rate shall be made and levied by the local body at the amount fixed by the ratepayers. Provisions are added that if the ratepayers do not fix the amount the local body may do so, and that the provision shall not apply to the rates made or levied by County' Councils.