ROAD AND BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION BILE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2615, 24 August 1882, Page 3

ROAD AND BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION BILE.

[Br Telbobaph.J

[PBOM THE “PBBBS.”] WELLINGTON, August 23.

The Hoads and Bridges Construction Bill is just out. Part one states how the Linde provided for main roads, viz., £IOO,OOO of the public works fund, are to be transferred to the main roads account;, £IOO,OOO of the land fund, after certain deductions, is to be transferred to the main roads account. The Treasurer may make progress transfers to the main roads account based on his estimate of the land fund. If the surplus land fund does not roach the amount transferred under the last section the deficiency to bo charged on next year’s grant. County Councils are to have like powers to open main roads as over the county roads. When the Council desires aid, estimates and plaus are to be prepared, and the estimates, Ac., are to bo submitted to the Minister. A poll of the ratepayers is to be taken, and if the result be favorable a special rate is to be levied after the poll. If the proposal be carried, the Minister is to certify to the Treasurer that the amount of the grant should be paid over. The Council is to deliver debentures for one fourth of the advance, and upon the delivery of the debentures the Treasurer is to pay over the money, subject to the condition that the Council may take up the deben-

tures before they are due. If the whole amount be not required, the debentures may be reduced by the Controller or AuditorGeneral. If the Council will find one-fourth the Treasurer may pay over three-fourths without poll, &a. If the Council will find a portion of one-fourth, the amount of the debentures are to be proportionately reduced. Part 11 shows how the funds provided for district roads and river works—£loo,ooo of the Public Works fund—are to be transferred to district roads and rivers works account. The Treasurer may be empowered by the Governor in Council to borrow £103,000 for district roads, &«., from the Post-master-General or the Government Insurance Cotnmissionor, or any Board now or hereafter established in their place, or from the Public Trustee or the Commissioner of the Public Debts Sinking Fund, out of any funds under their control. The Treasurer to give debentures for the sums borrowed. The Treasurer may pay the principal and interest on the debentures; if the funds are insufficient payments may be made out of the consolidated fund. The Treasurer may repay the debentures at any time. When any local body wishes to obtain an advance for or towards the construction of any district roads or river works within its jurisdiction, it shall make an application. All the provisions mutatis mutandis apply to such application, with the following exceptions—(l) The whole of this advance shall be repayable. (2) A special rate in sueh case shall be sufficient to pay fifteen equal yearly instalments, each equal to 9 per cent, on the whole amount applied for. (3) The debentures to be given by the local body to the Treasurer shall each be for one such instalment. The repairing of extraordinary damage caused by flood, tempest, or accident, to be deemed construction or rebuilding. The repairing of bridges on a main road to be deemed construction, if the necessity has arisen through fair wear and tear. Applications made prior to the Ist of January, 1883, to be deemed to be made simultaneously on that day. In future years applications must be made prior to the 30th June, and all so made will be deemed to be made simultaneously on that day, but all applications caused by extraordinary damage may be granted at any time. A poll may be taken prior to the sending in of the application ; provided that it the whole amonnt applied for be not granted, a new poll is to be taken. Application to ba deemed to have lapsed if not carried out within three months, Certificates to be granted pro rata and conditionally. If there is not sufficient funds available, the applications in cases of extraordinary damage to have priority. Bates to be made in special portions of districts. The Minister, if the terms of the Act be not complied with, or if the money be not available, may refuse a certificate. The refusal on one occasion is not to preclude a further application. Two or more local bodies may make a joint application. A local body may make an application for works outside its district. One application may be made for several works. An application may be made for farther advance for the same work. Members of a local body to be personally liable for improper dealings with money. The Minister and Treasurer to report yearly to the General Assembly. There are the usual provisions as to a poll of ratepayers and the making of a special rate. No special rate is capable of being quashed. The Bating Act, 1882, to apply. If the local body pay debentures out of ordinary revenue they need not collect a special rate. Twenty per cent, of the proceeds of land sold in the preceding year to be applied to making roads next year on unsold lands. The Minister may contract for the construction, or authorise local bodies to contract, and the Treasurer shall pay 20 per cent, on direction of the Minister of Lands.