SHIRE COUNCILS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 486, 11 August 1871, Page 3

SHIRE COUNCILS.

As considerable interest is being man'festal in the question of establishing Shire Councils in Otago wo subjoin for the information of our readers, a synopsis of the “ County of ATestland Act 1838,” presenting its leading points. Tho Act in its entirely, contains 1-13 lengthy clauses besides schedul s : 1. All powers vested in the Superintendent of the Province are, so far as applicable to the circumstances of the Couu'y, vested in the Chairman of ihe County Council, and any art required by law to he done by public officers of the Province, while tbe County continued a part of the Province ; are now performed in the County by persons under the direction and appointment of tho Governor, . 2. The inhabitants of the Comity arc created a body corporate, invested with tho naual legal powers. 3. Tha County is divided into seven electoral districts.. . Tha County Council consists of nine members : two whereof are appointed for Hokitikia, two for Greymouth and one each for five other electoral districts. Bach Electoral District is also declared a Road District, having for the management of local mat-ers a Di-triot Board, consisting of six members. The two towns retaining tho title of Boroughs. 4. Any person having his name enrolled as a voter for some one of the Electoral Districts, as owner of property, or hoi dug a miners’ right or business license, is qualified to vote for, or act as member of.the County Council. And any person enrolled, under similar qualifications, on tbe roll of the district wherein he resides is qualified to vote for and act as member of the Road B iard of that district. Exception being made to any one holding office or place of profit in the gift of the Council, Road Boards or Borough Councils. The Voters Rolls are revised and ma le up annually, under terms of the Registration of Electors Act 1836, by the Secretary of ‘Council, and Clerks of Road Boards respectively. Members of Council hold office for two years, Members of Road Boards for one year. The Governor appointing Returning Officers for each Electoral District; who appoint their own deputies when needed; and the election of members of Hoad Boards being under tho presidcucs of-the Chairman of the respective Boards. Every person entitled to vo’o, may vote for any number of candidates, not exceeding the number of members to be clmsen. When an equality of votes are given in any district for two or more candidates, tho Returning Officer iu each case gives the casting vote. Expencos incident to elections are paid out of the Council, Borough Council, aud Road Board Funds, respectively. C. The Chairman of Council holds office for twelve months Chairmen of Road Boards for six months. Meetings are held raon'hly, and both Council and Road Boards are empowered to make and repeal hye-laws for regulating their proceedings, and to impose penalties. At all mootings of Councilor Road-Boards, in cases of an equal division of votes upon any question, the Chairman, in addition to his own vote as member; has a second o 1 ’ casting vote. And when, in the election of a Chairman, an equality of votes occur, it is decided by lot which of the candidates having equal votes, shall bo appoin ted. 7. The accounts of every County Council, Borough- Council, and Road Board arc kept and audited in such manner as the Governor may direct. 8. The ordinary revenues of Hoad Boards and Borough Councils consist of monies received from tolls levied on distinct roads, rates levied on property, and a proportion of the General County Revenue. The rates on property can only he levied by tho sanction of the County Chairman, nnd whether general or special, must not exceed one shilling in tho pound per year on tho net annual va'uo of the properties rated; moreover,' no special rat* can bo

made unless with the consent of one half of tho persons liable to be rated. 9. The County Revenue is derivable from the Laud Fund arising within the County, from moneys payable to Provinces under'the Public Revenues Act, and from all revenues arising within the said County under the “ Gold Fields’ Act, 18GS ”or “ Tho Gold-fields’ Act, 18GG”, or under any A'et amending tho; same. Such sums being paid by the Colonial Treasurer to the County Treasurer. 10. The revenue thus accruing is applicable to the following purposes within the County—Police, Gaols, Roads and Bridges, Public Works, Hospitals, Education, works of general publip utility, and “ for distribution to the several Corporations of Boroughs and Road Boards in such proportion' as to the said Council shall seem fit.” 11. The permanent Public Debt charged against the Province is “ apportioned between the said Province and the said County according to the proportion in which the sail Province and the said County respectively sha 1 from time to time contribute to the Customs Revenue of tho Colony.” The proportion allocated to the County being deducted by tbe Colonial Treasurer out of moneys payable to the County. 12. Rates may bo levied by Council or Road Boards on all property, save unoccupied Crown Lands and property used for public purposes. Such rateable property including all lands occupied under lease or license in terms of lhe Gold-fields’ Acts for any purpose whatever.” The rateable Value being decided by properly appointed Assessors.. Unimproved lands to be “computed as of tbe net annual value of five fper c.nt upon the fair Capital value of the foe simple thereof," and the net annual value of lands held for mining purposes, residence or business purposes to be computed “in such manner as may be directed by the Board of the District in which such lands shall be.” 13. Main roads, and bridges and ferries lliereou, and all works of general utility are iin'er the control and management of the Council, as also a’l Hospitals and public primary 'schools— Hoads, other than main rods, and Bridges and Ferries on such roads ; and local works and improvements, not declared by the Coun-ii as works of general public utility, are under ihe control of tho Borough Corporations or District Road Boards. In the Council is vested the right to distrain and impound cattle straying on fenced roads by some duly authorised person, and the right to collect tolls on main roads, punts, and ferries. 14. Power is reserved to the Governor to prescribe and revoke all orders and regula tions, either general or applicable to particular cases, wherein in bis opinion, no provision, or insufficient provision is made, for effectually carrying into execution any of tho objects of the Act.