THE MUNICIPAL BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1157, 11 October 1913, Page 4

THE MUNICIPAL BILL.

PROPOSED IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS.

The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, which has been under consideration by the Statutes Revision Committee, was reported to the House from that committee on Wednesday last. The committee has struck out clause 5, which provided for the election of Mayors by the Councils, and has substituted a new clause providing that Mayors shall be elected as at present, but that the elections shall take place only every second year instead of every year, as at present. This provision is to come into force in 1915.

The Bill, as introduced, provides that section 169 of the existing Act relating to the restrictions on the formation of private streets should be amended by the addition of a proviso to the effect that the section should not apply to any private way giving access to not more than one dwelling house or other building on a strip of land forming part of the land previously held with the land on which such building is erected, is if such private way is not open or intended to be open for the use of persons other than the owner and occupier of such building. This provision has been struck out by the committee.

The committee has retained the provision in the Bill as brought down giving power to councils to establish a service for the conveyance of passengers, etc., audit has added a new sub-clause validating all preliminary steps taken in connection with the establishment of such a service within a year preceding the commencement of the proposed new Act. The committee also proposes that Councils shall have power to quarry, purchase or sell road metal or other material, as well as to buy and sell coal and coke on such terms as it thinks fit.

In sub-section 2, of section 296 of the existing Act, dealing with the condemnation of lodginghouses which are unfit for occupation, the committee has substituted the word “building” for “lodging-house.” It is proposed by the committee to repeal section 298 of the existing Act, which prohibits the posting of placards, etc., except on licensed hoardings or places or on buildings or places owned by the advertiser. The committee has inserted a new clause giving power to councils to provide musical or cinematograph or similar exhibitions in any building owned or leased by the corporation.

The provision as to prescribing the limits of live stock yards has been struck out.

As regards the licensing of buildings, it is proposed to insert a new proviso giving Councils power to attach to licenses conditions as to the use in such buildings of any means of producing light and heat or otherwise for the public safety. A new provision in regard to workers’ dwellings is proposed. A Council may let to workers for the purpose of erecting dwellings any land which it is empowered to lease for any purpose for a period not exceeding 21 years, and may itself erect workers’ dwellings thereon or lend money to workers for that purpose, and may provide for repayment with interest by instalments. The Council may,

also advance money to workers to enable them to acquire land and erect dwellings thereon. The Council may also sell dwellings to workers on such terms as it thinks fit, and provide for payment by Instalments. In any case mentioned the interest is to be at the rate of five per cent. Instalments may be paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly for a period of 25 years, and shall be calculated at the rate of 7 per cent, of the amount of the advance or purchase money remaining unpaid.

Ever since the world began, man has been contriving instruments for the reproduction of sound. Nature’s sweetest music—the sighing of wind through reeds, the laughter of a brook, or the lapping of the waves, these have caused men to stop and ponder. We see the result in such instruments as the violin, the harp, the flute. But most effective of all perhaps, is the piano. Imprisoned within its four walls hide the magic works which breathe forth enchanting harmonies. Just to run one’s fingers along the keys of an instrument such as the Broadwood, the Ronisch, the Lipp or the Steinway, is a supreme delight. The Dresden Piano Co., Ltd, Wellington, who are agents for these, and indeed every instrument of high repute, will gladly tell you about their easy time payment system, which makes it simple for everyone to possess this king of instruments the piano. North Island Manager: M. J. Brookes.