THE COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1215, 25 August 1911, Page 2

THE COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS, The Counties Conference concluded its silting yesterday. _ | liemits were dealt , with as follows:— Mr. 1\ T. Moore (Makara) moved that Hie Public Works Act bo fo amended as to prevent vexatious litigation between kical bodies in exercising the powers conferred on them by the. statute, so that "traffic" slr-ili inchido all traffic wiiliin tho meat -\ of tho Act. Tho remit was carried. A number of remits were passed a-ck-ing sinall amendments to tho Public Works Act. The Hangiora. delegate moved: 'That all" license fees derived from auctioneers, motor-cars, and publichousos bo paid into the funds of tha local liospil.il and Charitable Aid Board." The motion was lost.. Mr. Bolton (Pahiatua) moved: "Tuat this conference fako into consideration the adrisablencss of forming an association to undertake accident insurance business." Motion lost. The following officers raro appointed for tho ensuing year:— President, Mr. A. E. -Jull (re-elected); vice-presidents. Mcssts. W. Fra?er, M.P. (Wellington), C. J. Harper (Afhburton), F. W." Lang, M.P. (Auckland), J. G. Wilson--(Bulls), and S. J. Carman (Waituna West); executive committee, Messrs. P. Best (Nelson), 1). Borrie (Papakaio), R. Bould (JohnsonvilJe), J. D. Bruce (Akaroa), C. A. Budge (Hawera), S. J. Carman (Waituna West), J. Horn (Dunedin), 6. A. Merchant (Stratford), A. D. M'Leod (Martinborough), C. N. Orbell (Lovels), ,7. Talbot (Terauka). J. H. Davidson (Amuri), and F. F. Hockly (Kiwitea); hon. treasurer, Mr. H. J. Richards (Levin); hon. audifor, Mr. S. Bolton (Mangatainoka); secretary, Mr. H. D. Atkinson (Wellington). Complimentary references were made to the way the president had conducted tho conference and tho business of tho association, and to his extensive knowledge of local government' affairs. A bonus of 25 guineas was voted him. It was deckled that the secretary of tho conference, Mr. 11. D. Atkinson (Wellington) receive an additional bonus of ten guineas. DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. During tho afternoon a large deputation, headed by tho chairman, Mr. Jull, waited on tho Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Carroll), and laid before him the work of the conference.. The chief features of the conference were traversed and the Minister, in reply, dealt particularly with the rating of Native lands, lie promised to go fully into the points raitod by the deputation and let them know the results at an early date.