CONFERENCE OF COUNTY COUNCILS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 794, 6 July 1877, Page 3

CONFERENCE OF COUNTY COUNCILS.

—o—[Want of apace precludes ua from giving any discussion on the various clauses.] A general conference of the Chairmen of County Councils in the Provincial district of Otago was held this week, at the Custom House, Dunedin. Present—Messrs Vincent Pyke (Vincent County), in the chair, James Fulton (Taieri), Henry Clark (Bruce), M'Neil Clutha), J Eolland (Mantototo), James Green (Waikouaiti), M'Lean, and Mu root t. The Counties Act was then considered, the marginal notes being read by the Chairman. Section C.—lt was resolved that before now boroughs are constituted, County Councils should be consulted as to the boundaries. Section 7.—lt was resolved that the division of an outlying district by the Governor in Council should only be made on recommendation of the County Council. Section 10.—That the words “County Councils” should besnbstituted for “ Chairman, Councillors, and inhabitants.” Section 14.—The Words “ in number and value” were added to the number of not less than three-fifths of the County electors petitioning for a new County, the petition to bo approved by Parliament before proclamation by tho Governor constituting the now County. Tha Chairman introduced the question of the advisability of reducing the number of Counties. Ho might mention that a similar conference in Canterbury was only attended by three delegates, and they recommended that the Counties in Canterbury should be reduced to two. The question was deterred for future consideration.

Clause 17—It was resolved that tho onus of the authenticity and expense of a petition should bo thrown on the petitioners.

Clause 30—That tho Council to which it is proposed to annex any district should signify its assent thereto. Clause 37—That provision should be made for the abolition of a road district when such road district is situate in two or more Counties, and that a road district be enabled to amalgamate with any adjoining district in the same County | Clause 40—That any person whose name appears in the electoral roll,’ and who has not paid his rates, should not bo entitled to vote at elections. Section 44—It was resolved that when a miner’s right is issued the name of tho riding in which the miner resides Shall bo stated. Clause 48—That provision should be made for the correctness of the electoral roll being certified by tho Resident Magistrate where there are no applications for relief 'without the necessity ef his visiting each riding for that purpose. Clause 54—The Chairman and' several other members expressed the view that tho Chairman of a County Council should be elected annually by the members thereof. A discussion took place as to the duties of a Chairman of a County Council, and whether he should resign his aCat-for the riding after his election as Chairman. '• Mr Holland : I value ray deliberate vote higher than the casting vote. ,' e The Chairman : So do I. The question re the election and duties of a Chairman of County Council Was postponed. Clause 60—The manner of filling an extraordinary vacancy in a County Council was discussed. Clause C9.—lt was resolved that notices of meetings of Council should be given regularly by the c-lerk. It was resolved that provision should be made for permitting the payment of travelling expenses of the members of County Councils. Clause 70—Meetings of Councils to be open, except upon motion made for the Council to go into Committee. Clause 78—Any resolution of a Meeting of the Council may be revoked or altered at a subsequent meeting, either by a unanimous vote of all the Councillors, or “ by a vote of a majority of the Council." Clause 82—That power should be given to County Councils to appoint Committees w’th larger executive powers than seem to be conferred by this section. danse 103—It was resolved— “That when the Treasurer is a member of the Council, the signature of one other Councillor shall be sufficient for‘County cheques.” Clause 107—That it should be rendered compulsory on Eoad Boards to furnish County Councils with information requested to enable them to carry the provisions of the Act into effect. Clause 109—That this clause, which provides that the ratepayers must ask for a special rate upon themselves before it can be operative, should be abolished. / Clause 110—That, where no rate or an insufficient rate is levied by a Road Board, the County Council should he empowered to levy a separate one on rateable property within the district for the maintenance of main roads. Clause 132.—That the words “sent to the Auditor” bo excised, dhe Auditor to attend the Council Chamber to prepare the audit. Several other clauses providing that the County books should be sent do the Auditor were similarly altered. Clause 134.—That it should not ho necessary to hold a special meeting of the Council to consider the balance sheet unless the Auditors shall certify that such special meeting is necessary'. Clause 139.—That power should he given to the County Councils to raise ordinary loans not exceeding in amount three times the amount which may be levied by way of general rates in any one year. Clause 140.—That the powers of County Councils to raise special loans should be extended. Clause 141.—“ That whenever in tho Counties Act, or in any other of the Acts incorporated therewith, it is directed that meetings or courts shall bo held ‘in the riding,’ or ‘in each riding,’provision may be made enabling such meetings or courts to be held, if more convenient, in any adjacent borough.” Clause 192, dealing with recreation reserves, was considered too limited in its operation, and it was resolved to omit the words “ made for purposes of public recreation,” so as to extend the working of the clause. A sub-section of the same clause, providing for the letting of such reserves, was so altered as to read, “ the Council may let any other reserves or other lands or buildings,” &c. . It was ultimately resolved to add to clause 194 the words “that uniform license fees should bo charged for pedlars and hawkers, and also for slaughtering licenses. Clause 185, with reference to County roads : —“ That permission should bo given to enable Councils to repair any district road, bridge, or ferry when the same is neglected by the Eoad Board ; and to deduct the coat of such repairs from the subsidies due to or receivable by such Road Board. ” Mr Fulton moved—“ That the various County Councils bo invited to consider the advisablly or otherwise of reducing the number ofCouflties at present, so as to induce greater uniformity of action and more economical management. This was seconded by Mr Green and carried. It was also resolved—“ That, pending tho result of answers to tho foregoing resolution, and any action that may bo taken thereupon, this Conference deprecates the efforts now being made in various quarters to Increase the number of Counties by the constitution of new Counties." It was resolved— 11 That, as far as practicable, the boundaries of electoral, road, licensing, and resident magistrates’ districts, should bo made co-terminous with the boundaries of Counties.”

It was resolved—“Tliat tlio Counties roll should bo the electoral roll fop the district.” “ FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ACT, 1870.” The Conference then proceeded to consider this Act. After some discussion, the following resolutions were carried “ That revenue accruing from goldmining leases should bo the revenue of the County in which such leases are situated, as appears to have been contemplated by subsection 2 of section 37 of tho Eating Act, 1870, which exempts gold-mining leases from taxation for local purposes." “ That fees accruing from auctioneers’ and hawkers’ licenses should be divided between tho Counties and Boroughs in which such auctioneers and hawkers exercise their callings.” “ That more effectual provision should be made for the exact payment of revenues accruing from fees, &c., to the various bodies entitled to receive them.”