LOCAL RAILWAYS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2241, 29 August 1914, Page 9

LOCAL RAILWAYS

NEW LEGISLATION PROPOSED, The Local Railways Bill, which passed through its introductory stage, in the House of Representatives last night, is a comprehensive measure of 101 clauses, setting forth the ' conditions upon which railways may be constructed and operated by the residents ,in given , areaa who unite for that purpose. A railway distriot may be constituted by a petition signed by,not lesa than onafourth of the {lectors in an area. A faoa-rd, consisting of not', fewer than five raembere nor more than nine, is to bo elected for a term of two years, under the provisions of the Local Elections and Polls Act, 1908 The board is to eleot one of its members to be chairman, and he may be paid an annual allowance not exceeding £200. Every question coming before a board shall be decided by open vote. ' The board may borrow money in the manner prescribed by the Local. Bodies' Loans Act, 1913, and may rate all rateable properties within the railway district on a graduated scale according to a, classification made by the board in view of benefits conferred by a railway. On obtaining an Order-in-Council authorising the work, a board may construct and maintain, a railway (within ; it sdistrict) of the standard gamgo of Bft. 6in. Tho Governor may enter into an agreement with the board regarding the running of Government trains on the board's railway. At any time after a railway has been opened for traffic the Governor may purchase it on giving -twelve months' notice. No compensation whatever shall bo paid for goodwill, but if the railway has been opened for ten years and less than fourteen years when it is purchased by the Governor, five per cent, sjiall be added to the compensation payable, and if the line has, been open for 14 years "and not' exceeding 21 years, ton per cent, additional shall be paid. The amount of such percentage as the caee may require shall be ascertained by arbitrators. The board, on obtaining the Governor's consent, may at any time sell, lease, assign, or part with its railway. The Bill proposes to repeal tho Railways Construction and Land Act, 1908, and the Railways Construction and Laud Amendment Act, 1913,