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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3161, 16 August 1881, Page 2

The " Town Districts " Bill, introduced by the Government, should it become law, will be found a nio?t useful measure to the smaller country townships that desire to sever themselves from the administration of Road Boards and yet do not wish for the more cumbrous machinery of a Municipal Corporation. The b'!l provides that in any locality containing not less than fifty householders, on a petition, signed by two-thirds of the resident householders, the Governor can bring the Act into force. Provision is made for the apportionment of assets and liabilities between the Road and the Town Boards. The Town Board is to consist of not less than five nor more than seven members; the qualification of electors is tbe same as in boroughs. The general powers and duties of the Boards are much the same as Borough Councils ; they may make bye-laws, impose rates, and except that they may not have any control over main or County roads traversing or lying within the town district, the Boards have all the powers conferred upon a Borough Council by tbe provisions contained in Part XI. of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867, or any enactment amending the same. Every Board is to be the local Board of Health. Every Board is to have all the powers granted to a Borough Council by any enactment relating to auctioneers, cattle trespass, cemeteries, dog nuisance, fencing, fire prevention, licensing publicans, municipal police, public pounds. The powers conferred on Town Boards by Part XI of the Municipal Corporations Act apply to contracts, the taking of land for public purposes, to streets, to levels, drainage, nuisances, waterworks, lighting, buildings, &c. In rising townships cuch as Hastings, and Waipawa, the " Town Districts" Bill would be found of the greatest advantage. In Hastings especially would tbis be the case where a large population is rapidly springing up, and where from the flat character of the land the drainage question cannot be too soon dealt with. Should the Bill become law it is to come into operation in January, 1882.