The Evening Star MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4285, 20 November 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1876.

The Hon. George M'Lean told a deputation from the Lower Harbor last week that he did not see his way to assist them in getting that district proclaimed a municipality under the Otago Municipal Corporations Ordinance, and that, if they were unable to make arrangements for joining the Corporation of i*ort Chalmers, they should take action under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, which comes into force on the Ist of January next. The latter Act does not repeal the Otago Ordinance, nor affect the existing municipalities in Otago; and there seems to be nothing in it to prevent new municipalities being formed under the local Ordinance. The Act, however, evidently contemplates bringing the whole of the municipalities in the Colony under a common law, since it provides for the reincorporation of any of the Otago Municipalities which may prefer the privileges granted by the Colonial Act to those which they now enjoy. It. is practically a consolidation of the numerous statutes which have grown up out of the Municipal Corporations Act of 1867, one of the best framed measures in our statute-book, but the scope of which has been found too limited to meet the aspirations of the incorporated boroughs. The general adoption of the principle that a borough should undertake the supplying of its inhabitants with gas and water especially, has necessitated Amendment Acts; and it was high time that the municipal system of the Colony was placed on a fresh basis. The present Act thoroughly effects that object, and gives much more ample powers to boroughs than were considered needful by the authors of the Act of 1867 ; consequently, it is a still greater advance upon the Otago Ordinance, which confers even more restricted functions than the Act of 1867. It may be observed that all the municipalities of Otago exercise their powers under the Ordinance in operation under the late Provincial Government, although in certain instances they have obtained additional powers of borrowing from the General Assembly. The Act of List session enables Corporations to take land for permanent works, to construct and manage gas, water, and drainage works, as well as tramways, and to borrow as much money as they please for such undertakings, subject to certain conditions, without special application to the General Assembly. If a borough wants to raise a loan for expenditure on public works, or for educational purposes, it can do so, provided that a poll of the ratepayers has been

taken, and the proposal approved of by a majority of one-fifth. Moreover, during the construction of the works the Borough Counoil can pay the first year's interest out of the loan itself. These are liberal provisions ; but, on the other hand, it is stipulated that the debentures shall not be sold at a price which will produce more than 7 per cent, interest to the purchaser; and to a certain extent a guarantee is thus afforded against expensive borrowing. Where the construction of a tramway is in question, the popular vote is brought into play, even though it be not inteuded to raise a loan for the purpose, so that it is left to the citizens themselves to decide whether or not this means of locomotion should be used in theborough. This seems to us an excellent idea, since a proposal for a tramway invariably excites discusssion and sometimes illfeeling, and a popular vote will fairly test the respective strength of the promoters and opponents of any particular scheme. We are glad to see the principle of electing the Mayor by the ratepayers adopted by the Act. Under the Act of 1867 this func tionary was the nominee of the Council; but the principle of popular election gradually fought its way to the front, until at last an amending Act was passed in 1875 repealing this provision of the original etatute. Tho present Act, however, goes a little further, for whereas the Act of 1875 required the voting at the Mayoralty election to hi according to the sliding scale adopted at the election for Councillors, the present Act declares that single vote 3 alone shall be recorded. The Mayor is to be a Councillor by virtue of his office, and may be granted a salary if the Council thinks tit It would to be impossible for the residents at Lower Harbor to comply with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Customs so far as coming under the provisions of the new Act is concerned, because it is necessary that the petitioning district should contain 250 householders, whereas, judging from what was said by the deputa tion, the population of the Lower Harbor is much smaller. On the other hand, a forced union with Port Chalmers would hardly be productive of happiness. Nevertheless, we thoroughly agree with the general principle that municipalities should be as large as possible, and have repeatedly urged the inhabitants of the suburban municipalities either to amalgamate with one another or to join the Corporation of Dunedin. They are not strong enough to run alone, and their interests are so closely related to those of Dunedin that it is a pity that an imaginary line of separation should be drawn, while numerous advantages, in the shape of economy of labor, better work, and cheaper loans, present themselves as the result of amalgamation. Even the union of all the residents of Caversham and the Flat under one Municipality would be a bDg step in tie right direction. The new Act will effectually stop the formation of very small municipalities outside of Otago, at all events; and the Government can, of course, always prevent a district becoming incorporated under the Otago Ordinance, as in the present case. It will create large municipalities, with extensive powers, and able to do everything they want in the way of local improvement, without having recourse to the General Assembly. It contains one provision which will be very acceptable in certain parts of the country, where the municipalities lack endowments. The Governor-in-Council is authorised, at the request of any Borough Council, to make reserves, for the benefit of the Corporation, to the extent of 100 acres of land within the borough, and 2,000 acres in any other part of the provincial district^within which the borough is situated ; but these reservations are neverthelerosubject to the sanction of the General Assembly. Dunedin is well off for reserves; but Christchurch and other towns have hardly an acre of land to call their own.