THE PROVINCE OF WESTLAND BILL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1573, 20 August 1873, Page 2

THE PROVINCE OF WESTLAND BILL.

The following summary of the Province of Wesfcland Bill, which has been read a second time, is supplied by a correspondent of the West Coast Times : — " The Act is to come into operation on such day as the Governor shall by proclamation appoint. The laws and ordinances specified in the Schedule to the County of Westland Act., and all oth'et laws and ordinances in force immediately before the coming into operation of the Province of Westland Act, shall, so far as applicable and : except as the same are altered or repealed by this Act, continue in force until altered or repealed by the General Assembly or Provincial Legislature. The number of members of the first Provincial Council shall be fixed by proclamation by the Governor, not beiug less than — — members. The Governor to proclaim the electoral district, and to make provision for the formation of the first electoral rolls for the election of Superintendent and members. The writs to be issued thirty days after the coming into operation of the Act. The Superintendent to be an ex ojficio member of the Council, entitled to sit, vote, &c, as fully as an elected member thereof. The powers vested in the County Chairman to vest in the Superintendent. All contracts, actions, suits, and proceedings by or against the County Government to belong and attach to the Superintendent. County debts and liabilities transferred to the Province. Property vested in the County authori : ties to vest in the Superintendent. The sections of the 'County of Westland Act, 1868,' numbered 4 to 8, 19 to 23, 26 to 33, 78 to 84, 93 and 136 are repealed upon the election of the first Superintendent. Sections 15 to 18, 21 and 22, 28 to 32, 36 to 76, and 141, so far as they relate to the County Council and the members thereof, and concern the proceedings thereof, are repealed upen the first election of the Superintendent ; but so far as they relate to the Road Districts, they are to continue in force until repealed by the Provincial Council. Sections 9, 10, 11, 13, 20, 24, 25, 27, 34, 35, 77, 85 to 115, and all other of the provisions of the said County of Westland Act not hereintofore repealed, and the provisions of the 'County of iWestland Act Amendment Act, 1870,' so far as the same relate to Read Districts, are to continue in operation until repealed by the Provincial Legislature. ' The County of Westland Acts Amendment Acts, 1869-70,' except so far they relate to Road Districts, are repealed on the election of the Superintendent. The County account to be transferred to the Provini cial account, and kept in accordance with the provisions of the ' Provincial Audit Aqt, 1866.' Reserves of land made before the passing of this Act for any public purposes other than the use of the General Government, maybe granted by the Governor under the 'Public Reserves Apt, 1854,' to the Superintendent, to be held, managed, and dealt with by him as the Act provides. The Bill contains 18 clauses, of which the above is a full summary. It makes no change as to franchise."'