MUNICIPAL LAW.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1876, 9 October 1913, Page 8

MUNICIPAL LAW.

NEW PROPOSALS. BIENNIAL ELECTION OF MAYORS. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, which lias been under consideration by the Statutes Revision Committee, was reported back to the House of Representatives from that committee yesterday. Tho committee has struck out Clause 5, which provided for the election of Mayors by tho councils, and has substituted a new clause providing that Mayors shall bo elected as at present, but that the elections shall take place only in every second year instead of every year as at present, this provision to como into forco in 1915. Tho. Dill as introduced provided' that Section 169 of tho existing Act, relating to _ tho' restrictions on tho formation of private streots, should bo amended by the- addition of a proviso to tho effect that tho section should not apply to any private way giving access to" not more than one dwellinghouse or oilier building on a §trip of land forming part of the land previously held with the land' on which such building is erected, if such private way is not open or intended to be open for tho use of persons other than the owners and occupiers of such building." This- provision has been struck out by tho committee. Tho committee has retained tho provision in the Bill as brought down giving power to councils to establish sorvices for the conveyance of pa.ssen- | gers, etc., and it has added a lifew' subclause validating all preliminary steps taken in connection with the establishment of such a service within a year preceding the commencement of thp proposed new Act. The committee also proposes that councils shall have power to quarry, purchase, or sell road metal or other material, as well as to buy and •sell coal and coke, on such terms as they think fit. , | In Siib-sVction 2of Section 296 of tho existing Act dealing with tho condemnation of lodging houses which are unfit for occupation, the committee has substituted tho word "building" for "lodging-house." It is proposed by the committee to repeal Section 298 of the existing Act, which prohibits the posting of placards, etc., except on licensed hoardings or places, or on buildings or places owned by tho advertiser. The committee has inserted a new clause giving powers to _ councils to provide musical entertainments or Cinematograph or similar exhibitions in any building owned or leased by the corporation. Tho provision as to prescribing tho limits of live stockyards has been struck out. _ As regards the licensing of buildings, it is proposed to insert a now proviso giving councils power to attach to licenses conditions as to tho use in such buildings of any means of producing light and heat or otherwise for the public safety. A new provision in regard to workers' dwellings is also proposed. The council, it is proposed, may let to workers for the purpose of dwellings any land which it is empowered to lenso for. any purpose for a period not exceeding 21 years, and may itself erect workers' dwellings thereon or lend money to workers for that purpose, and may provide for repayment with interest bv instalments. The council may also advance mbnev to workers to enable them to acquirc! land and erect dwellings thereon. Tho council may also sell dwellings to workers 1 on such terms as it thinks fit, and nrovide for payment by instalments. In any case mentioned, tho interest is to be nB )llie rate of fivo per cent. Instalments may be paid weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, for a period of 25} years, and shall be calculated at tliei rato of seven per cent, of the amount of the advance or purchase money remaining unpaid.