GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 647, 15 July 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

{From a correspondent of the Press.') HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, July 14. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. CANTERBURY RUNS, On Mr Wason’s Bill, re Canterbury runs, being read a first time, Sir J. Vogel intimated that the Government proposed to ask the House to deal with the subject. RATING BILL. On the motion to go into committee on the Rating Bill, Sir J. Vogel made the followstatement:—As the Bill stands, mining property as rateable property is exempt. It had been represented to the Government that it would be a great hardship to exempt such mining property from paying rates, as it was now subject to rates in some parts of the country, especially at the Thames, The Government proposed to introduce a proviso to the 40th section, by which it will be made clear that where mining property is now rateable in any part of the country, it shall continue to be so rated, and mining property not now rated would remain so. In making a farther explanation, he would have to travel somewhat out of the direct effect of this Bill, so as to give the views of the Government upon a subject about which they found a large amount of interest was felt both inside the House and in the country. He alluded to the subject of rating pastoral property, and the tenure of pastoral property when the present leases fell in, in a considerable portion of the Middle Island. First, in respect to the proviso for rating pastoral property, the Government proposed to introduce some clause in section 22, to the effect that pastoral property shall be subject to be rated at one-half of its annual value, in accordance with the terms adopted after long discussion in 1871 in the Highways Act, and that was a compromise which was fought out by the member of the Taieri on the one hand, and the Hon Mr Hall on the |other. If members turned up that Act they would see by the marginal note the statement that one-third of the pastoral property was to be rateable. That was the intention at the time. It was afterwards altered to one-half to meet the exigencies of the case, because rating the annual value of pastoral property must be considered in connection with the fact that the tenure, at any rate in a large part of the country, is not sure. Especially has it been the case in Canterbury, where the tenure depends upon some one not purchasing land, which he is at liberty to do any time during the year, while the pastoral lessee has to pay rates in advance, so that before the year was out the latter might find himself deprived of a portion of the property upon which he had paid rates. The course the Government proposed to take in regard to the Canterbury runs was this —lt had been represented to the Government that, owing to the state of uncertainty which exists as to what will be the mode of dealing with these runs after the leases fell in, and that a very great deal of anxiety is felt upon this subject, it would be well to set that anxiety at rest by deciding the question, and it therefore fell to the Government to propose to the House its decision, and it be for the House to consider if that decision was just. After a careful examination of the question the Governim’ut had come to the conclusion that, judging by previous practices and by the laws which have existed from time to time over a long series of years, it was in accordance with that practice and intention, that if the existing runholders were willing to continue to hold their runs on such terms as from time to time are con sidered fair, they should have the preference in continuing to hold the properties; and what the Government proposed in reference to the Canterbury runs was, that a valuation should be made of their carrying capacity, and that such an ass »3ment should be fixed as might be considered fair by the House. The amount the Government had not come to a decision upon, and about which the House would have to be consulted; and that if after such assessment is fixed the runholders are willing to pay such increased assessment, they should have a preferential claim to continue to hold the runs. Having come to this decision in reference to Canterbury, a great deal of anxiety would he fiU as to the intention o! the Government as to the h ■,films < f the inns in Otago. He had to say that the Government cousideied the cmscs widely different. In Canterbury the tenure depends upon any one purchasing the run, as was entitled to do at any time in any quanti y or over any portion of the run, while in the case of Otago the tenure is d.ffcrent in character, and much more secure. A comparison between the two might be best arrived at by this simple fact--any person bolding the lease of a run in Canterbury might find himself at any time deputed of a potion or the whole of his run by any persen without his knowledge ; while in Otago the leases have this amount of seen rify about them, that before any land can be taken from the runholders a very tortuous process in most cases has to be gone through. Such process could not take place without the knowledge of the runholders, who have in all cases at least as good, if not a better, chance of purchasing than other persons. In Otago also the law was very specific in its piovisions as to the way runs should be dealt with. The law was briefly to this effect, it was within the power of the Land Board or of the Bupei inlendent, he forgot which, but he thought the Board, before the leases expired to say whether or not (ho leases should be renewed, whether or not they should be cut up into small rues, or whether or not they should be leased at ad. In case of it being decided to continue to lease the runs, the law prescribed d< finitely that such leases should take place by auction, so that it might be said the law dealt with these cases specifically, and there was not the same necessity for legislation in respect to Otago as there was in respect to the Canterbury runs. When the time came, he would move in committee an amending clause to give effect to what he had stated. In connection with the Land Bill they proposed to introduce, its general intention was to place in the hands of the Land Board of of the province in most cases—bethought he might say the majority of cases—the power which now exists in Superintendents in some parts. In answer to Mr William Wood, Sir J. Vogel said the assessment would not be made upon what the run was paying, but upon half its actual value. In committee on the Rating Bill, Mr Button, in accordance with the notice he gave on the second reading, moved that aulsection 5, clause 2, should le amended so ' as to read that unimproved lands should be

rated at 5 per cent above the price they would fetch in the market as wholly unimproved lands at the time the valuation was made. This was supported by Messrs Williams, Wood, Joyce, Hodgkinson, Barff, Montgomery, Woolcock, and opposed by Messrs Swanson, Reid, Bryce, and Douglas. Sir J. Vogel considered the object of the amendment to be to punish absentees and holders of unimproved property, which should be done by a specific measure, while the effect of it would be to reduce improved property to the level of unimproved property. Mr Stout, while agreeing with the principle of the amendment, did not think that the circumstances of the country favored the proposal, and gave notice of his intention to move, as a further amendment —“ That unimproved lands should be taxed at half their annual value, the same as proposed with pastoral leases. Mr Montgomery thought the amendment of the member for Dunedin should be adopted by the committee. Mr Stafford considered the principle of the amendment had not been done justice to, and with a view to farther discussion proposed the omission of the words of the clause. He approved of the proposed amendment of the member for Dunedin. Mr Seymour contended the committee were only creating difficulties, which would be removed by striking out all the words after “ year to year,” in line 19. The great difficulty was that it treated runs, whether held under lease or license for one or fourteen years, in the same way as a freehold. He instanced that in Nelson the former class of pastoral country was now assessed at 2s 6d and the latter at £l. The annual rateable value should mean the rent at which the land shall be let at from year to year. Mr Swanson pointed out that many properties would not let at any price, and asked how such were to be valued. Mr WASON alluded to pastoral lands, mountain tops in Canterbury, leased at 10s per acre, and mentioned the case under the amendment of the Government, of a man who held 100,000 acres of such country, which would not carry more than 20,000 sheep, which laud, if sold, would not fetch more than 10a an acre, he would have to pay a rate of £3OO, while a man fifty miles down the coast who had 30,000, only paid £l5O. Mr J. E. Brown thought rating according to annual value would lead to confusion, and the simplest mode would be to ascertain the value of the property and leave it to the local bodies to fix the assessment. Mr Stout gave notice of a further amendment to reduce the assessment on improved lands in country districts by 2 per cent. Sir J. Vogel here intimated that he would take his amendment re rating pastoral property in connection with clause 40. Mr Stevens, in support of what fell from the member for Coleridge, asked the Government to frame their amendment, so as to remove the inequality pointed out. The debate was interrupted by the dinner hour. Mr Button’s amendment on the Bating Bill was negatived by 41 against 26. {Per Press Agency.) At 7.30, the House resumed, in committee on Hie Rating Bill, and considerable discussion ensued on the question of rating land, there being great diversity of opinion, Mr Button objecting to improvements being taxed. But the clauses generally were carried without any very material alteration. Tlia debate was continued until half-past one, by which time the committee had reached to clause 10, which was parsed with some slight amendments. The Speaker then announced by message from the Governor the Financial Bill The Premier explained two points in it, saying that abolition would come into force on the 29th September, instead of the Ist October, in consequence of the Ist October falling upon a Sunday and the 30th September being a holiday. The other was that provision would be made for the Superintendents, but out of the revenues of the provinces, instead of out of the colonial revenue. The Bill was read a first time, and the House adjourned at 1.45. {From a correspondent of the Press.) The House adjourned early last evening in consequence of the receipt of the news of .he death of Dr Feathcrston. When the news airived the debate on Mr Stout’s Licensing Bill was proceeding, Mr Wood having just finished speaking. The cpeech of the debate was undoubtedly that of Mr Lusk, though it was tinged with a little intemperate language anent the Licensed Victuallers. He charged them openly with living by the demoralisation of the people of the colony, and pleaded hard for a law against them which should be operative. He denied that they had a vested interest to be considered; but even if the publicans had a vested interest there were the interests’of the general public J and the moral and material progress of the colony to be considered as well, and these interests loudly called for restriction in the liquor traffic. He referred to past legislation to show that the policy of the law had for some time leant towards achieving this object, and considered that there could bo no reason why there should be any objection to an Act, the sole object of which was to give real effect to laws now ineffective, because of the protection thrown around that small but exceedingly influential body, the publicans. It is very likely, after all, that the Bill will go into committee. Neatly all the Auckland members will support it. Mr Stout agrees to Sir R. Douglas’s amendment, rnakirg it obligatory on districts to provide proper accommodation houses. In ti e Legislative Connc I, Mr Waterhouse biought forward a motion to the effect that in the opinion of the Council it is desirable to make provision to enable voters at elections, whether of a general or local character, to avail themselves of the services of the telegraph for the purposes c£ voting. The motion, as might have been expected, was not received with much favor, the change proposed to be effected being of a character altogether too radical, except by Hon Captain Fraser, who, as he stated yesterday, has |a fondness for radical changes, in which case it is easily understood he might very possibly allow his feelings to overcome his judgment. Hon Mr Hall pointed out that the proposal of Mr Waterhouse, if carried into effect, would open the door to personation, and Dr Pollen explained that it must upset the present ballot system entirely. Mr Waterhouse withdrew his motion, stating that it abd simply been his desire to ventilate the question. He foresaw the difficulties pointed out, but considered that they might be met by legislation.

lii alluding to the death of Dr Feathereton, Sir J. Togel said—l do not rise for the purpose of speaking to this debate, but am sorry to say it is my duty to give the House some information which will create universal regret. Captain Holt has shown me a telegram received to-night, but which is three weeks old, reporting that Dr Featherston is dead. I am sure this information will be most painful to many, and I shall only be consulting the wishes of the House in asking the hon member in charge of the Bill under discussion to consent to its postponement in order that the House may adjourn, as a mark of respect*to the memory of a gentleman who has occupied distinguished positions in New Zealand, and who has had so much to do with the early history of the colony. [Hear, hear.J {Per Press Agency .) PROVINCIAL ABOLITION FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS BILL. This Bill, introduced to-night, provides that it shall come into operation on September 29th. The land revenue within each district to be charged with the expenses of surveys and general administration of waste lands within such districts, such expenses to bo apportioned by the commissioners of audit. Any waste lands being sold (not being town land?) at a price above 40s per acre, the amount realised in excess is to be expended in construction of roads and bridges; such moneys to be paid either to the governing body of the county or road district, or divided between such bodies as the Governor thinks fit. If the amount available is not sufficient to carry out such works, the Governor may cause the same to be retained until other moneys have been derived from a like source, or the Governor may direct it to be expended as may seem nearest to the above provision. The Taranaki land revenue is only subject to the Act after deducting the per centage provided by the Harbor Board Act, 1874, The land revenue of each district is to be further charged as follows:—With the payment to their Superintendent of two years’ salary; with charges imposed hereafter for education ; with subsidies to counties and Eoad Boards, one pound to one pound ; with subsidies to River District Boards, (one,pound for one pound) received from rates; with the expenses of the construction of railways, viz, for the first three years after the coming into operation of the Act, two per cent on the sums expended ; for the next three years If per cent; for the next three, per cent —the balance to be divided as follows :—Three-fifths in the proportion that the area of each county bears 'to the whole district; the other two fifths in the proportion that the general rates received by any county or Road Board bear to the general rates raised in the district from the whole of the counties and Road Boards therein. If the land revenue in any district he insufficient to meet above charges, advances are to be made out of the consolidated fund, such advances, to be repaid to the consolidated fund as the land revenue accrues. Treasury bills may be issued to meet such advances. One pound to be paid annually for five years to every road, district, and borough for every pound of general rates received during the year, such subsidies to be equally apportioned by the Colonial Treasurer between tbe districts and county. No subsidy to be paid on any rate in excess of the scale provided by the Act, to bea shilling to the pound. The Colonial Treasurer may make advances to borough and road districts. All licensing fees to bo paid to the county or borough within which licenced premises are situated. Rents from powder magazines to be paid to the public account. Fines and penalties for scab in sheep to be paid to the county within which the same are incurred ; provided only the cost of, and charges of administering the enactment, are borne by the county. All fines for breach of by-laws to be paid to that governing body whose by-laws have been infringed. The goldfields revenue is to belong to the county within which it has arisen. The Colonial Treasurer is to apportion the revenue, where the same has arisen in more than one county, according to the proportion o miners’ rights and business licenses, to the respective counties. Charitable institutions to be maintained at the cost of tbe county or borough, If the governing body fail to provide for the same, tbe Governor may withhold payment of subsidy. Charitable institutions are not to include lunatic asylums. Out of the consolidated revenue a subsidy of 5s for every £ raised by private subscriptions to be paid for the maintenance of charitable institutions. The cost and charges of providing primary public education within counties and boroughs, after deducting fees and other revenues received by the Board of Education and the consolidated revenue, shall be charged on the land revenue received within each provincial district, provided by subsection 8 of section 9, and one-third thereof on the consolidated revenue. All charges for, inspection of schools provided by the Education Boards Act, 1876, to bo borne by the consolidated revenue. After this Act has been in operation five years, so much as the General Assembly shall determine of the charge of keeping school buildings in repair and erecting new buildings, shall be borne by the counties and boroughs in which such school buildings are situated. With respect to schools for higher education, the revenues of which, from endowment or school fee-*, may from time to lime be added to by voles of the General Assembly, such votes shall from time to time be charged against the land revenue of the district. As soon as conveniently may be after the coming into operation of the said Act, the Governor in Council thali cause an account of the debts and liabilities of each district be taken from time lo time as occasion maj require. The debts and liabilities of each district shall comprise the following matters and things :—Payment of interest and sinking fund on all loans which, at the date of the abolition of the provinces comprised within the district were chargeable against the province; the payment of all other debts, liabilities, engagements of every kind whatsoever, together with the interest thereon, at a rate not exceeding 5 per cent per annum; the payment of interest and sinking fund of any loans raised for the purpose of paying off or otherwise providing for such debts, liabilities, and engagements of such districts, Any expenditure which under The Provincial Appropriations Extension Act, 1875, or under said Act Governor, or Governor in Council, has authorised any Superintendent to make up to the 30th day of September, 1876, and which expenditure has not been* made, shall be held to be a liability of the; district in whiobj it is incurred, and the

Governor shall accept the same and take all necessary measures to ensure that the money is expended in accordance with the original intention. No person employed as above to acquire any right under the Civil Service Acts. The balance of the provincial liabilities to be raised by Treasury bills on loan, the amounts so raised to be added to the provincial debt of the district; any cash in hand in excess of the provincial debt to be expended in the provincial districts as agreed upon between the Governor and the late Superintendent. Clause 32 makes provision for the extinguishment of the provincial loans. Permanent provincial officers to become officers of the General Government, though not to acquire any rights under the Civil Service Act. Members of the House of Representatives holding office under the Provincial Government not to be liable to disqualification, provided they resign the said offices, All railways to be the property of the colony, and the provincial districts to be relieved of liabilities in 'respect thereof. With respect to the Canterbury branch railways, £49,000 paid by the Government for such branch railways to be considered in arriving at the amount to be deducted from the permanent debt of the district. Provincial railways in Otago and Canterbury to be taken over by tbe General Government at a valuation to be fixed by three valuers, one appointed by the Minister for Public Works, one by the Superintendents, and the third by the other two. The unexpended portion of the Middle Island railway fund to be credited to the district. Water-races and such like to be vested in the governing body of the county. If such works extend into more than one county, the control and management to be vested in such governing body as the Governor shall think fit, or jointly in the control of both. Such works to be kept in repair by the county, and in case of neglect the Governor may withhold subsidies; the Governor may agree to pay £IO,OOO towards the completion of the Mikonui water race, in addition to the existing appropriations, but on condition that the governing body of the county complete said race. Sections 14 to 16, 18 to 22 and 24 of Abolition of Provinces Act are repealed, {From a correspondent of the Press ) COUNTY BILL. The County Bill consists of 203 clauses, is divided into 16 parts, and comes into operation simultaneously with the Abolition Act. The Rating and Local Election Acts are incorporated. By clause 6 the colony is divided into 39 counties, the boundaries of which the Governor may alter from time to time. Boroughs are not parts of counties. Certain counties in the second schedule are exempt from the operation of the Act. Counties are incorporated. The Government may, by proclamation, divide a county into ridings, but there are not to be more than seven in each county. 16. There shall be a Council in and for each county to consist of the number of members assigned to the ridings of the county, and a chairman and such members and chairman shall respectively be elected as herein provided. The members of the Council shall not bo elected for the county at large, but shall be members for the ridings for which they may be elected, and each riding shallelectthe number of members assigned to it. 15. The first Council shall in no case exceed seven members, exclusive of the chairman. 16 For the first election of a Council tbe Governor may declare the member or members each riding shall return to the Council, and the number so declaredshall be specified in the proc'amation, creating such ridings. After the first election of councillors the Council may alter the boundaries of any or all the ridings of the county, and substitute others in lieu thereof, and may assign the number of members to any or all such ridings, but so that the whole number of members of the Council shall not exceed nine, exclusive of the chairman. The Council shall exercise the powers hereby conferred upon them upon or within ninety days before the day appointed for holding an ordinary election of members. 17. Provides that members hold seats, notwithstanding alteration of boundaries of riding. 18. In order that any person may be qualified to be a member of a Council, he must be possessed of the following qualifications :—He shall be entitled under this Act to be enrolled, and shall be enrolled on the voters’ roll for some one of the ridings of the county. The first Council holds office from the second Thursday in November till the new Council is elected, thereafter the elections are triennial. Clause 28 provides how the voters’ roll shall be formed. Clause 30. That the sittings of the Council are to be held between May 10th and 20th, The Council is to amend the voters’ list. If no rate is struck in a county, then the valuation roll of road districts is to form the basis of voting roll for county. 27. The following persons shall be qualified to vote for members of the Council—(l) Every person of the full age of twenty-one years whose name appears on the voters’ roll of a riding of a county shall be a voter of such county so long as such roll is in force. (2) Every person whose name appears on the voters’ roll shall be entitled to vote at every election occurring in the riding of the county in which he is enrolled, and according to the following scale —that is to say (a) if his rateable property, whether one or more tenements, is valued on the valuation roll, as hereinafter provided, at less than fifty pounds, he shall have one vote (b) if such property is so valued at not less than fifty, but less than one hundred pounds, he shall have two votes (c) if such property is so valued at not less than one hundred, but less than one hundred and fitfy pounds, he shall have three votes (d) if such property is so valued at not less than one hundred and fifty, but lesthan three hundred pounds, he shall have four votes (2) if such property is valued at three hundred and fifty pounds and upwards, he shall have five votes. Holders of miners’ rights are qualified as electors. Candidates for the office of chairman to deposit £lO (it is intended to increase this to £SO) at the time of his nomination, to be forfeited if he polls less than one-eighth of the successful candidate. The first election of chairman, who must be qualified as member of the • County Council, to take place on a day to be fixed by the Governor, and the person

elected to hold office till the third Wednesday in November subsequent. The elections take place on the last Wednesday in October. The Council votes allowance to the chairman, who is ineligible to sit in Parliament. Clause 49 is as follows :—For the first elections of the members of a Council, and until the formation of voters’ rolls under this Act, the following provisions shall have effect. (I) Those persona whose names are enrolled on the voters’ roll of any road district forming a riding or part of a riding, shall be entitled to vote in the election of councillors for the riding formed by such road district or part of a road district, and to exercise the full number of votes for which they are enrolled on the voters’ roll of the road district. (2) If such riding shall comprise more than one road district, or shall compose only part of a road district, then rolls for the election shall be formed as hereinafter provided. (3) If this scale of votes in any such road district, or part of a road district comprised within a riding, shall not be alike, the Governor may, by proclamation in the Gazette, declare what scaleof votes shall be adopted for such elections, and any person entitled to vote in such election may vote according to the scale so adopted. (4) If there shall be no voters’ roll in force in any road disfrict, or any part thereof forming a riding or part of a riding, as the case may be, those persons enrolled on any electoral roll which, under the provisions of the Registration of Electors Act, 1868, shall for the time being be in force in any electoral districts comprising such road district, or part of a road district, whose qualifications are in respect of lands and tenements situate within the riding, be entitled to vote at such elections as herein provided. (5) Where a riding is composed of several road districts, or part of road districts, or parts of read districts, or parts of the county in which Road Boards are not in existence, then the Governor shall, not less than twenty-one days before the election appoint a person to form rolls for such riding, and such rolls shall be formed from the voters’ roll then in force for the several road districts, road districts or parts of road districts, and the electoral roll io force for the election of members of the House of Representatives, as the case may bo; and’such rolls shall be prepared and published in such form and manner as the Governor shall for that occasion direct or require. Ordinary elections are to take place on the second Thursday in November, and on each second Thursday of November in every third year. A councillor elected for more than one riding to elect for which he shall serve. Proceedings, where chairman or councillor has become incapable of acting, must be initiated in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, which is empowered to adjudge a person wrongfully acting as chairman or councillor ousted of his office. The Resident Magistrate’s Court to have same powers as in ordinary jurisdiction. Disputed election cases not to be heard by Resident Magistrate’s Court, but by the Supreme Court. Part 10 treats of the county fund —The county fund shall consist of the moneys following—that is to say (1) rates made and levied as provided by this Act or any Act incorporated therewith ; (2) tolls levied on county roads and all rents of such tolls; (3) Moneys recived by the Council under any grant or appropriation by or under or in any pursuance of any Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand ; (4) License fees derived under any Act or Ordinance from the issue of licenses for the sale of ale, wines, or spirituous liquors, dog taxes, hawkers’, or pedlars’ licenses, brewers’ licenses, and such other license fees derived under any Acts or Ordinances of a provincial legislature, as by this or any Act of the General Assembly may be payable to the body corporate of the county of which the Council are empowered to levy or receive ; (5) The residue of the land revenue for the time being available for distribution among counties; (6) All rents and profits from property vested in the body corporate ; (7) All fines and penalties recovered under the provisions of this Act or any by-law made thereunder, or of the Acts incorporated therewith, for any offences committed within the county ; (8), moneys received by way of loan as provided in this Act; (9), moneys received by way of subscriptions or voluntary donations, and (iO), all other moneys wnich may become the property of the body corporate. Fines are to be paid into the county fund. The Council is empowered to levy general rates on all rateable property within the county. A separate rate may be struck for particular works, but such rate to be made on petition of one-third of the ratepayers and voters in the portion of the county liable to he rated specially. Special rate to provide for interest and sinking fund of loans. Council may amend special rate. Special rate not to be quashed. No general or special rate is to exceed one shilling in the pound upon the value of the rateable property as appearing in the valuation roll. The functions of the Council in respect to public works are thus defined : The County Council shall have the care and management of all county roads within the meaning of the Public Works Act, 1876. With respect to all such county roads the following provisions shall have effect; (1) Every such Council shall be subject to the provisions thereof, and have full power to form, construct, improve, repair, and maintain all such county roads, and all bridges and ferries therein. (2) It shall be lawful for the Governor, by proclamation in the Gazette from time to time, to take any county road, bridge, or ferry, as aforesaid, out of the control of the Council, bnt in any such case all contracts in respect of any such road, bridge, or ferry, and all liabilities in respect thereof, shall be performed and accepted by the Governor on behalf of the Government of the colony. (3) When any road, bridge, or ferry, shall be taken out of the control of the Council, as herein provided, all tolls, dues, and revenues, levied or receivable in respect thereof, shall from a date to be fixed in the proclamation, go to and form part of the consolidated fund. (4) The Governor may from time to time order any county road to be made, maintained, or repaired within such period as he may in any such order determine, and if the governing body of the county shall refuse or neglect so to make, maintain, or repair any such road, it shall be lawful for the Governor to cause the same to be so made, maintained, or repaired, and the expenses thereof shall be charged against the body corporate so refusing or neglecting as aforesaid, and may be deducted, from any subsidies payable under this or any other Act of the General Assembly to such

body corporate. In carrying out this provision the Governor and every person authorised by him shall have all the power and authorities which under any law are or may be vested in or could be exercised by the governing body of any such County. Council may contract with the Minister for Public Works for the execution of works. The Council is empowered to construct public works within or without the county, but the construction of harbors can only be undertaken under the section of the Harbor Act of 1874. The Council may contribute to charitable institutions, outdoor relief; may establish libraries, &c. The Governor in Council may vest the management of reserves for recreation in the Council. The Council may lease lauds of which management is vested in it for a period not exceeding twenty-one years. At the expiration of five years from the election of a Council, the county is liable to contribute towards primary education, and for the police. The Council may enter into a contract with the Councils of neighboring boroughs or County Councils; not to interfere with works under the control of the Minister for Public Works. The Council may raise an ordinary loan, the debentures will be a first charge on the county fund. The limit of ordinary loans is three times the amount of the receipts of the county fund during the year ended March 31st previous, not including Government grant. Special loans are only sanctioned after a poll of ratepayers. Clause 157 provides—lf the number of votes given for the proposal within the several ridings, taken together, exceeds the number given against it by onefifth of the latter, the resolution in favor of the proposal shall be deemed to be carried, and the Council may proceed with the proposal accordingly, but if there is not such a majority in favor of the proposal the resolution shall be deemed to be rejected, and the Council shall not so proceed. Loans may be raised for more than one special purpose. Two or more Councils may join in raising loans. Road districts may by petition be merged into a county. Rights, &c, of Road Boards to vest in body corporate of the county; property, &e, of Road Boards to vest in the body corporate of the Council. The Governor in Council is to decide disputes. Functions and duties of Road Boards to cease if merged with the county. The northern counties are Bay of Islands, Wangarei, Marsden, Waitemata, Manakau, Thames, Waikato, Rotorua, Cook, Taranaki, Patea, Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu, Waiapara, Hutt, Wairarapa, Taupo; in the South Island they are Waimea, Buller, Marlborough, Amuri, Ashley, Ahaura, Westland, Waitaki, Clyde, Otago, Olutha, Wakatip, Southland, Wallace, Fiord ; Taupo and Fiord are exempted from the operation of the Act as they are unoccupied country. The following are the boundaries of Canterbury eounty : —This county is bounded towards the north by the southern boundary of the Ashley county, hereinbefore defined, from the Hurunui saddle to the mouth of the Waimakariri ; towards the east, by the ocean to the mouth of the Rakaia ; towards the south, by the centre of the last named river to the south-eastern boundary of the West land county hereinbefore defined; and towards the north-west, by the last mentioned boundary to the commencing point, together with the adjacent lands. Rakaia—This county is bounded towards the north by the southern boundary of the Canterbury county, hereinbefore defined, from the summit of the main range of the Southern Alps to the mouth of the Rakaia river ; thence towards the south-east, by the ocean, to the mouth of the Rangitata river ; thence towards the south by the centres of the Rangitata and Clyde Rivers to the source of the latter river, and thence by a right line north-west (true bearings) to the south-eastern boundary of the Westland county aforesaid; and thence towards the north-west by the said boundary of the Westland county aforesaid to the south-western corner of the Canterbury county, the commencing point. Geraldine —This county is bounded towards the north by the southern boundary of the Rakaia county, from the south-eastern boundary of the Westland county hereinbefore defined, to the ocean; thence towards the enst by the ocean to the mouth of the Pareora river ; thence towards the southwest by the centre of the Pareora river to the source of the main branch flowing from Mount Nimrod, and a right line thence to the summit of the said mountain ; thence by right lines from peak to peak along the summit of the Hunters hills to Mackenzie Pass ; thence by a right line to the junction of the fork stream with the Tekapo river, and thence by a right line W. 20 N. to the south-eastern boundary of the Westland county aforesaid, and towards the northwest by said boundary of the Westland county to the western corner of the Rakaia county, the commencing point. Waimate —This county is bounded towards the north-cast by the south-western boundary of the Geraldine county, from the southeastern boundary of the Westland county aforesaid io the ocean, to the mouth of the Waitaki river ; thence towards the south, by the centre of the Waitaki river to a point N, 33 E (t;ue bearings) of the summit of Kirrow mountain ; thence by a right line to the summit of Turnagain Hill; thence by a right line to the north-eastern corner of run No 227 ; thence towards the west, by right lines from peak to peak along the summit of the Hawkdun Mountain to a point due east of Mount St Bathans ; thence again towards the south by a right line to the summit of Mount St Bathans ; thence again towards the west by a right line to the junction of East Head Creek, with the Ahuriri River, and by that creek to its source ; thence by a right line due north-east, true bearing to the summit of the western watershed of Lake Ohau; and thence by right lines from peak to peak along summit of that watershed and western watershed of the River Hopkins, to the south-eastern boundary of the Westland County aforesaid ; thence by that boundary to the south-western corner of the Geraldine County to the commencing point.