MUNICIPALITIES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 527, 24 May 1872, Page 2

MUNICIPALITIES.

Mr. D. Held, Provincial Treasurer in his Financial Statement said “Before proceeding to the 'consideration of the provisions for the current year, I wish to ex. plain to the Committee what we .propose to do, in regard to the local administrative bodies (Municipal Councils) whicli are established in the different centres of population throughout the Province. Honorable members are aware that many of these councils have not (nor can they raise by any taxation which would not be excessive, and tend greatly to cramp enterprise in their respective localities) that amount of revenue which is essentially necessary to enable thefti to fulfil with advantage the very important functions which devolve upon them ; the question therefore arises, what is the best means of rendering assistance which while not unfair to other localities, is likely-to'be permanent ’in its operation? The Government are of opinion that no fairer plan can be adopted nor any ; which is more likely to prove permanent in its operation than that of securing to each municipality itsown local revenues inreturn for which it is not unreasonable "to require that they should maintain the main roads within their respective-boundaries. With this object a Bill has been introduced for the purpose of making over to each municipality, and also to County Councils, as soon as they are established, the license fees, dog tax, and other local revenues of a similar character accruing within their bounds. I may here mention that it is the intention of the Government forthwith to bring into operation the Hoads Ordinance, 1871, which confers much large powers of selfgovevnment on the inhabitants of the different Hoad Districts than they possess under the existing Ordinances. The elections under the new, Ordinances will take place in June or July next, and when the new Boards are fairly in operation the Government will be enabled to make further reductions in us departmental slaff. In thus making provision for gradually divesting ourselves of, and making over to, local representative governing bodies, those revenues which are raised, and which can he most efficiently and economically administered locally, I think we are pursuing a wise course, one which is calculated to beget an interest in the management of local affairs, which will create a public spirit, ami which will be tin; means of organising a system id municipal and local administration, which cannot fail ultimately to secure most satisfactory results, which will form a ban icr against the absorptions of administrative functions by a central Government, and prevent that confusion and disorder which would ensue, in the event of any change of the Provincial form of government before other local governing bodies were established. The following statement show's approximately the sums which will accrue to each municipality from these fees, and also the sums expended onmarir roads hr each during the past year. I have heard it objected that this proposal to endow municipalities with license-fees was to ho entirely in tire interests of Dunedin, bnt I . beg leave to think that it is impossible to adopt any system for handing ov. r local revenues raised within the district which can act impartially to atry district. If you admit the principle that local revenues ought to bo given to local bodies and expended locally, how can you refuse to any district its owur local revenues? Any objection raised against Dunedin having its share would defeat the whole principle that is involved in districts expending their own local rates. The following is tiro statement to which 1 have referred.

I think it will bo admitted that this is a year of jubilee for tire Municipalities. We have here the sum of 54907 10s, which, if our proposals arc acceded to, will he returned to those bodies. This sum does not include the amount, although it will increase it seme 600' or 7007. If these sums are secured to the Municipalities, it will not only enable them to maintain the main roads within th'ir boundaries, bnt to effect many useful works which at present arc either partially or entirely rreglectcd. And I think probably these bodies will ho enabled, with the sum which would thus accrue, to carry out marry of those matters, for which at present they look to the Provincial Council for grants.

Lici nses received 1871-2 Expe-ded on Main Roads. Balance in favor of Mum eipality Dunodiu ... J £3128 0 £ 538 0 £2500 0 Hawksbucy .SO 0 70 0 10 0 Palme; ston 100 0 7'0 28 0 0»mam ... 401 0 127 0 334 0 Balolutha 140 10 9 0 1:11 10 Lawrence •271 10 12 0 25!) 10 Invercargill 700 10 40 0 725 10 Eiverton... 170 0 20 0 150 0 Clyde ... 205 0 30 0 205 0 Cromwell ... 2.10 0 20 0 210 0 Queenstown 265 10 30 0 235 10 Alexandra 250 10 25 0 225 10 Port Chahne is 106 10 30 0 135 10 Milton ... 2:10 10 £0501 10 48 0 183 10 £5490 10 £ 071 0