BOROUGH ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1932, Page 2

BOROUGH ELECTIONS

TRIENNIAL POLL SOUGHT

MEASURE BEFORE PARLIAMENT,

(Pt Press Association — Copyright.)

Wellington, November 23. Triennial, in. place of biennial, municipal elections arc provided for in amending clauses of Ihe Municipal Corporations <a measure of 394 sections, the majority of which ore of a consolidating nature, introduced into the House to-night. Th c next election of councillors is to take place on the first Wednesday in May, 1933, and the next election will be held on the sam© day in 1935. Thereafter the election is to be held on the first Wednesday in May in every third year. Provision is also made for the filling of vacancies by giving councils the power to fill such vacancies as occur within twelv© months preceding the general election. The names of non-voting residents are to be omitted from the rolls after the elections. '

Power would be given to councils to refund a portion of the sanitation charges where the service was discontinued » The compensation payable to the owlief oi property where S, building line has beOn eet 'back is limited to the difference in value of the land or building before the building line wa» sot back, and the value of the remainder after such action has been itaken. '

Power is given to councils to make advances to the owners of premises to enable them to connect their premises with drainage system of the boroughs;. The repayments may be made in one amount or by instalments over a number of years, and the maximum rate of interest to be charged is fixed at six ,per cent, per annum. These charges stand in the same category as rated for the purposes of collection.

Advances may he. made -by counts to the occupiers of premises for the installation of gas or electricity, and similar provisions are made for repayment as in the case of drainage. The provisions l in Tespect to advances to workers by municipalities are extended. Local bodies may now advance money for the purchase of dwellings which already have been erected. Aften ten • .per cent, df the principal owing by the worker has been repaid to the council the workermay enter into a new agreement for the repayment of . the balance. Provision is made for the capitalisation of the arrears of interest, which are to b e treated as outstanding principal. Flood protective, works may be erected by councils -outside of borough boundaries if the property of the corporation ’is likely to be endangered. In cases ill which the. amalgamation of adjoining boroughs is proposed, the Gorernor-Gensral may, It caws where there is a difference of opinion, appoint a commission consisting of a Magistrate, the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district'and the District Valuer tc inquire whether the proposed united borough sho/uld be constituted. In the event of the r e P ort being favourable, the Governor-General may issue a (proclamation uniting these several boroughs.

Power is also given to make bylaws regulating, controlling or pro. hibifing the erection of hoarding or other structures for the display of advertisements. Municipalities may also prescribe the (scales of annual fees for hoardings and may require disused hoardings to be removed. Regulations may also be made controlling the storage of goods of an inflammable nature.

The Municipal Association Bill establishes the Municipal Association as a body corporate, and provides that subscriptions shall be payable by various local authorities for membership, and defines the powers and duties of the Association and generally regulates its procedure. The Municipal Corporations Bill was also introduced by Governor-GeneTal’s message and 1 read a first time. Public Works estimates providing for allocations totalling £3,620,700 were passed, and the House rose at 11 p.m.