AMENDING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1933, Page 7

AMENDING BILL

MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. A close study of the Municipal Corporations Rill, which was introduced by the Government during last session, has revealed a number of potential " eaknesses, and these will be remedied before the bill is reintroduced into Parliament within the next few weeks. The new bill will be substantially the same as the old ; hut several clauses will be redrafted, and amendments added to define more clearly the exact Intention of the legislation.

The bill is principally a consolidating measure; hut it conta-' ns a number of additions to the existing law, designed to remedy defects and to meet the present-day requirements of local authorities. Containing 353 clauses'and 13 schedules, it was one of the bulkiest pieces of legislation that have been placed before the House in recent years. As reintroduced, it will comprise the same number of clauses, and any amendments will be by way of additions to the existing clauses.

AMALGAMATION OF BOROUGHS The Government was anxious to. place th(> bill on the Statute Book last session ; but although it was given 'its second reading, and the short title was agreed to in committee more important business prevented It from proceeding further. Most of the discussion then centred about a clause providing for the amalgamation! of adjoining boroughs. This particular clause declares that if a council, following a poll endorsing union, does not present an appropriate petition to tile Governor-General witlr’n 30 days of the poll, a commission consisting of a magistrate, the Commissioner cf Crown Lands for the district, and tlio district valuer, may be appointed to report on the question whether the proposed united borough should be constituted. If the commission reports favourably, the GovernorGeneral may proclaim a union of boroughs. Much adverse criticism was levelled at this proposal; but it is understood that the Government is still eonyihoed that no 1 satisfactory or adequate reason has been advanced why is should not become law. The present intention is that the clause should be retained in the new bill. 9

ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES During the Inst few months, there has been considerable criticism of a clause providing that a borough ;council with power-generating works shall not extend its electricity supplies beyond the borough without the consent of the power board within whose district the person supplied resides or carries on business. It 'is? understood that the provision requiring the permission of power boards in these circumstances is to be dropped. Sevferdl other amendments will be necessary purely as a result of the delay in proceeding with the bill. It was originally intended that the bill should become effective as from Aprill last ■ but this provision in the short title has been altered to April 1, 1934.