POWERS OF BOROUGHS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 852, 25 June 1910, Page 6

POWERS OF BOROUGHS

A CONFERENCE. THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION. Tho conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand will open on Monday, July 4, in tho Town Hall, Wellington. Tho Mayor of Wellington will preside. The Delegates. Tho following delegates have been elected by the various city and borough councils: —Messrs. G. Armstrong (Akaroa), H. Davis and.ll. H. Fooks (Ashburton), L. J. Bagnall, H. M. Smecton, and H. AY. Wilson (Auckland), E. H. Penny (Blenheim), L. R. Phillips (Birkenhead), W. H. Herries, M.P. (Cambridge), C. Allison and —. Dougall (Christchur.ch), AYm. Eraser, M.P. (Cromwejl), A. Armstrong (Carterton), 13. A. Ransom (Danuovirke), W. Handley (Devonport), T. Cole and J. "Wilson (Dunedin), E. Page (Ekctahuna), E. ! Goodbehere (Feilding), W. J. Holdsworth ,(Grey Lynn), D. P. Loasby (Greytown), Hon. T. Mackenzie, M.P. (Green Island), W. Pettic (Gisbome), J.. A. Millar (Hastings), E. L'E. Barton (Hawera), W. A. Ott' and C: S. Lonquet (Invercargill),, A! Ball (Invercargill South), J. B. Hine (Inglewood), J. H. Blackwell (Kaiapoi), G. I. Dasent (Karori), J. Allen, M.P. (Kaitangata), J. A. Murdock (Kumara), E. P. Bunny (Lower Hutt), M.J. Miller (Lyttelton), B. It. Gardener (Levin), R. E. Beckett (Marton), J. P. Arnold, M.P. (Moruington), F. AV. Thorp (Motueka), T. Mackenzie, M.P. (Mosgicl), J. Brodie | (Mirainar), J. V. Brown, M.P., jand J. j J? Niveii (Napier), T. Pettit (Nelson), W. Begg and J. C.. Fea (North East Valley), C. Foster (New Brighton), L. R. Phillips, M.P. (Nortlicote), R. Milligan (Oamaru), J. G. Harkness (Onslow), F. AV. Lang, M.P. (Oiiohunga), AV. AV. M'Cardle (Pahiatua), E. H. Clarke (Port Chalmers), G. J.-Riddell and J. Blizzard (Picton), J. W. M'Ewan (Petone), J. A. Nash and H. Haydon (Palmerston North), AA 7 . Fraser, M.P. (Queenstown), J. F. Arnold, M.P. (Roslyn), E. F. H. Hemingway (Stratford), 1 Hon. John Barr, M.L.C. (Sumner), T. lL.Sidey; M.P.' (St. Kilda), T. Buxton, M.P. (Temuka), Hon. J. M'Gowan, M.P. (Thames), AV. H. Herries, M.P. (To Aroha), AV..H. Herries, M.P. (Taulanga), J. Craigie, M.P. (Timaru), J. P. Aldridge (Taihape), A. H. Hindinarsh and J. J. Devino (Wellington), M'Gregor Wright (AA'oolston), C. E. Mackay (AVanganui), J. 11. Greenwood (Westport); T. M. AVilford, M.P. (Woodville), H. .Poland, M.P. (AVailii), T.-H. Steadman (Whangarei), E. H. Clarke (AA'est Harbour), AV. T. Jennings, M.P. (Waitara), Sir.. AA'. J. Steward, M.P. (AA'iamate), T. M. AVilford, M.P. (AVaipawa). • The following have been elected as delegates of town'boards:—Messrs. J. AV. Card (Featherston), A. G. Bignell (Gonville), U. Bould (Johnsonville), John Martin (Martinborough), George Andrews (I'inwald), and'A. J. M'Curdy (Upper Hutt). ' . 1 The order paper refers to. a large number of subjects of interest to municipalities. Tho question of establishing a joint 'superannuation fund comes first. Tho others are indicated by 87 remits from affiliated bodies. The following aro some of tho most interesting, tho wording being shortened in some cases: Electoral. 1 Tho Municipal Corporations Act be amended to provide that the District Electors' List be closcd on the 31st day preceding the day of any. election or poll. This would, give; ample'time, for getting rolls printed, and to n great extent prevent • roll-stuffing.—(Hast-ings.) ' • That the qualifications to ; vote at municipal elections (other than ratepayers)- be so amended, that for each house occupied by a person other than a ratepayer there shall bo only the one vote, for the occupier (and his wife, if .any)—(Grey Lynn.) ' Mayor. . That the Mayor's term of offico bo three years.—(Taihape.) That the Mayor bo elected by the council from amongst tho members thereof.—(Taihape.) ■That in. boroughs with a population under two thousand persons, the Mayor go out of office at the same time as the council, thereby ensuring a continuity of policy during tho council's term of office. —(Northcote.) Remits from Palmerston North, Picton, and. elsewhere favour biennial election of Mayors. ■ Councillors.. , That one-third of tho councillors retiro by rotation yearly, and that the term cf office be three years.—(Mosgicl.) That an election of three councillors take place annually instead of the full number being elected every two years as at present. —(Nelson.) . That the term of office for councillors be throe years.—(Taihape.) That paragraph (b) of Section 42 of The Municipal .Corporations Act, 1908, relating to the disqualification of councillors, should be amended so that the exception therein contained . shall read as . follows, viz.: "Other than as a shareholder in an incorporated company which contains more than twenty members, and is not a" private company, and of which such person is not a director or the general manager or secretary, or in an association or partnership consisting of more than twenty members."—(AVellington.) That in cities' and boroughs having a population of n:>t less than 80,000, chairmen of committees be . styled "Aldermen." —(Christchurch.) Rates and Accounts. That the Government bo requested to bring in legislation providing, that the Crown shall pay, rates oil properties taken by tho Government, until a rateable occupier comes into occupation. Further, that the attention of the Government be drawn to the fact that where educational reserves aro leased on weekly tenancies, or for other short periods, the local authority cannot levy. —(Petone ) That the Government bo ultimately liable for all rates levied on lands resumed by the Government for workers' dwellings.—(Petone.) That municipalities, especially those engaged in trading concerns, bo permitted to keep their accounts on commercial linos.—(Auckland.) Alterations of Districts. . That provision bo inserted in the now Act to e'.iablo Borough Councils to extend their boundaries (without waiting for a petition from ratepayers). Procedure to bo by way of commission appointed by Governor-in-Council on application of municipal corporation after passing spccipl order defining boundaries they are desirous of including.—(Marton.) Streets. That tho Municipal Corporations Act be amended 1o provide that the half cost of footways or channels be a charge against tho land, to bo recovered as a rate. —(Palmerston North.) That the Municipal Corporations Act bo amended so as to give local bodies power to consont to tho laying off oi streets less than 66 feet wide, incases whoTO it is found impossible, or inexpedient to make thorn that _ width, without having to obtain authority from tho Govornor-iii-Coujieil.—(Nelson.) That in order to cJiablo city and borough councils to complete the loading o£ cities and boroughs, and provide foi

closer settlement, the Government bo requested to introduce legislation enabling tlio Public Trustee, or Minister in Charge of Native Lands, to have power to soli all Native reserves within the limits of cities and boroughs, and invest the money obtained l>y the salo on behalf of the owners; or, as ail alternative, that the Public 'JYustee, or Minister in charge, be directed to road tho said lands in accordance- with tho by-laws, and let the frontages on long renowable leases.—(Palmorston North.; That tho Public Works Act bo amended ill tin: direction of leaving the decision as to whether it is necessary to set back the frontage of any street to tho sole discretion of tho local body. —(Auckland, Nelson.) Markets. That where municipal markets art- established in boroughs of not less than 10,000 inhabitants, all auction sales of fish and fruit shall bo held in such markets.—■(Christchurch.) That where municipal markets are established, all fresh fish shall pass through such markets for inspection before being exposed for sale.—(Christ church.) 1 Local Elections Act. That the Local Elections and Polls Act bo amended by adding further olauses for the puiposo of giving tho returning; officer an opportunity of verifying the result of a poll as given by his deputies.' The proposed amendments are practically a copy of the Electoral Act,, as used at general elections of tho House of Representatives. —(\Va.itara.) That the Local Elections Act bo amended so that voters strike out names of candidates for whom they do not intend to vote,—(lloss,.Richmond, Invercargill.) , That the Elections and Polls Act bo ameoided so as to provide that unless the voter's paper shows t-hat ho has given a vote tor each of the mjuisit© number of candidates to bo elected, his paper shall bo deemed informal. —(Picton.) Government and Fire Brigades. ' That, as the Government, does not •pay for water used at fires on. its property, or contribute anything towards the upkeep of brigades in cities, where thero are 110 fire boards, provision should bo mado that services" rendered at such fires be paid for by the Government. —(Wellington.) . Loans. That the Government bo asked, to introduce legislation to enable the Post Office to pa.,v interest 011 the full amount of tho sinking fund deposited by local sinking fund commissioners.—(Palrnerston North.) That the Government bo urged to introduce legislation to enable tho New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Board to advanco moneys to local authorities to pay off existing loans lawfully raised, so as to enable individual loans to be consolidated.—(Palmorston North.) Slaughtering. That the slaughtering of swine be placed on the same footing as that of other stock. —(Stratford.) That all stock (including swine) slaughtered for sate for human consumption be slaughtered at a registered abattoir.—(Hastings.) Valuation.

That the Valuation of Land Act bo amended to provido: (a) That the valuation roll shall be in the hands of tho local authority not later than April 7 in each year, (b) That 110 alteration be mado in tho roll until notice of transfer has been sent through tho local body in whoso district the transferred property is situated, (c) That in all cases whero new streets aro made, tho A 7 aluer-Genoral shall have the power to rcvaluo the 1, ne-w frontages in accordance with the. enhanced value, notwithstanding that there is 110 revaluation of the whole district; and that the rate-s shall bo levied on the increased values.—(Palmerston North.) Motor. Regulation Act. _ That powers bo obtained from Parliament for borough councils to regulate motor cycle and motor-car traffic within. borough boundaries.—(Petone.) That borough councils be empowered to make by-laws to provide for the licensing of drivers-of motor-cars, and to govern the speed at which motor-cars may be driven through tho streets.— (Cl^ristohurcli.), • Works and Services. , That no award, made by an Arbitration Court shall apply to workmen employed by a borough, council on works undertaken solely to relievo distress arising from unemployment.—(Christchurch.) That the Government bo asked to legislate in the direction of enabling municipalities to execute water and drainage works for owners of premises, tho cost of such works to he repayable by instalments.—(Stratford.) That tlie Municipal Corporations Act bp amendod to enablo municipal councils to take gasworks and gas mains compulsorily in the same maimer that land is taken .under the Public AVorks Act. —(Hastings.) - : That power bo given to municipalities to make by-laws regulating or prohibiting hawking or peddling in and upon any or all of tho streets of the borough.—(Auckland.) That the attention of the Government bo called to tho fact that the model by-laws promised by tho Government have not been forthcoming.— (Marton, Mosgiei.) Miscellaneous.' That the King's 'Birthday bo celebrated as Empiro Day.—(Christchurch.) That the Government bo urged to tax all tickets to races, theatres and amusements, in order to provide or raise revenue for hospital "and charitable aid purposes, thereby relieving ratepayers from such taxation as nowadopted, by means of a separate value on. capital, or other value of rateablo property.—(Grey Lynn.) . That in view of the nominal fines usually inflicted for allowing cattle to wander oil tho roads entirely failing to deter offenders, Section 17 of the Impounding Act be amended in so far as it affects boroughs, enabling severe fines to be inflicted.—(Miramar.) That the Licensing Act be amended so that town districts shall be able to. collect £40 license fees from hotels within their boundaries—(Kamo Town Board.) That boroughs may be exempted from the provisions of the Maori Councils Act, 1900.—(Petone.) . 'I hut tho Municipal Corporations Ah lie amended to prevent the exhibition of any placard or notice on any place other than a building, unless licensed by the council.—(Palmorston North.) That the Municipal Corporations Act bo amended to enablo a local body to contribute out of its general fund subsidies to bands and rifle ranges, or for tlie purpose of assisting any other institution which is for tho public benefit, and not for private profit.—(Palmerston North.) That, section'lCO of the Municipal Corporations Act be amended to provide that where a local body constructs a bridgo or ferry under this clause, it shall have authority to demand and rceovor progress payments from Llie contributing local authorities as tho work progresses oil the engineer's certificate; or, failing payment, the right to demand ami recover interest on tho amount due by the said contributing local authorities as progress payments. —(Palmorston North.)