LOCAL BODY POWERS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 697, 6 January 1922, Page 5

LOCAL BODY POWERS.

AMENDMENT OF LAW. The Municipal Corporations and Counties Amendment Bills, which is in circulation, contains no important new provisions, but a[ number of amendments, which have been asked for by the respective conferences of local bodies. In both Bills power is given to the local authority to charge a rate higher than 5 y 2 per cent, with the approval of the Minister of Finance, as interest on advances made to workers for the erection of workers' dwellings. The disqualification from holding office either in a county or borough because of directorship of an incorporated company of more than twenty persons having transactions "with the council is removed. The following other alterations are proposed in the Municipal Corporations Bill: Applications for additions or alterations to the roll if received by the town clerk before the roll closed may be made after the roill has closed.

Residential or occupier's qualification shall not entitle an elector to vote on any loan or rating proposal. If a councillor is elected Mayor, his office as elected councillor is thereby vacated.

In the illness or incapacity of the town clerk, some other officer may attest the declarations of mayors and councillors.

The limit of 114 per cent, of depreciable assets is withdrawn with respect 'to the establishment of renewal! and reserve funds for trading undertakings. In boroughs which are not part of a fire district a building inspector may be appointed to inspect residences and buildings of more than one storey to decide what fire escapes are necessary. The fee for collecting vehicular license fees in boroughs which combine for that purpose is rajsed from 10 to 15 per cent. The Counties Amendment contains the following additional provisions :

The A bitration Act is not to apply to inquiries conducted with respect to the apportionment of assets and liabilities when ithe boundaries of a county have been altered. Special orders altering riding boundaries are to operate from a date fixed and gazetted by the Minister.

The disqualification arising from non-payment of rates is extended to disqualify an elector from nominating or being nominated for election. Expenses may be paid to councillors within the limit of distance (three miles) formerly imposed. Extended power is given to a council <to apportion expenditure to ? whole county or two or more ridings.