The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY JUNE 25, 1885. THE LOCAL BODIE'S BILL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 23, 25 June 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY JUNE 25, 1885. THE LOCAL BODIES BILL.

Sir Julius Vooel's Local Bodies Finance and Powers Bill is a very important measure. A local bodies' finance account is to be kept by the Colonial Treasurer, and to this the sum of <£ 1 50,000 is to be placed for the period between the October 1 , 1 885, and March 31 , 1 886, and afterwards L 300,000 a year for twenty-five years. For five years from April next, one-third of the annual sum is to be paid out of the Public Works Fund, and the remainder .from the Consolidated Fund. Afterwards the whole is to be paid from, the latter. These sums are to be distributed among the local bodies. When the general rates m any borough or taw n district do not exceed L 750, pound footpound is to be given, where move than L 750, lOs perpourid are to be given. In the latter, case no greater sum than LI SOO, and no less than L 750. is to be given m one year. Tn counties where the general rates do not exceed LI OOO, L 2 per LI are to be given, and where they exceed LI OOO the contribution is to be pound for pound. In road districts the larger rate of contribution is to be given where the general rates do not exceed LSOO. For the year ending on the 31st of March next contributions are to be at half the rates mentioned. Local bodies are to be empowered to borrow on the security of special rates to be levied. In the case of default of payment of interest on loans by local bodies a receiver may be appointed by a Judge of the Supreme Court to have charge of the finances. A poll of ratepayers is to be taken on the question of raising any loan, and a majority of three-fifths will be required to carry it. Two or more local bodies may combine to raise loans. Holders of debentures under the staute are to have no claims against the revenues of the Colony. The County Councils are to have power to impose a royalty of two shilling and sixpence an ounce on gold obtained within the County. The proceeds of loans to be raised under the stante are to be used for specified purposes, chiefly for the construction of new works, and . not for ordinary maintainence. There is a provision empowering the Go- i vernor to order the construction of district railways if the ratepayers I undertake to rate themselves to pay interest on half the cost, and. Parliament provide the other half. Provision is' alSo made for the expenditure of loe?il /funds m the entouragement of mining. The Goyernor is to be empowered to delegate to local bodies powers m relation to the construction of public works. The local bodies are to contribute to the support of the p ihce force. The Roads and Bridges Construction Act, ISB2, is to bo repealed, except as far as it i affects existing engagements.