NEW ROAD BILL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 17, 20 May 1871, Page 7

NEW ROAD BILL.

District Highways Act to be introduced into the Provincial Council on the 6th June.—The principles upon which the new District Highways Act is based are — 1. The division of the whole province into large'districts, and the sub-division of those districts into wards, for the purpose of returning members to the main district boards. 2. The power of subdivision into wards will he placed in the hands of the district boards, but until these boards can operate the present road districts will be considered wards. 3. Rating.—The rate to be an annual rate on valuation, and to be an amount not less thau one half-penny and not more than one penny in the pound on actual value of laud and buildings. 4. Assessment to be performed by assessors appointed by the Government. Appeal against assessment to be made to district boards, 5. The distribution of funds.—The whole of the funds to be placed in the hands of the district boards. The Government proposes to take the whole management of the main roads, providing for their maintenance by a system of toll gates. EDUCATION ACT. The management of common schools in the province to be vested in a central board of education with an Inspector, the duty of the board being to provide and maintain in a Btate of efficiency common schools throughout the whole province. Funds. —To be created partly by an annual rate upon the actual value ,of the property and buildings throughout the province, partly by a capitation tax (as in the Nelson province) of 5s a head on all children between the ages of 5 and 15; the exceptions being all children regularly attending other schools, and all children living more than three miles from a school house : Provided aiso that no one family shall be called upon to pay for more than four children. Collection of rate. —Rate to be assessed and collected by the Government in the same manner as the District Highways rate and to bo placed entirely at the disposal of the central board. Education Reserves. —All reserves to be vested in educational board with power to sell or let same ; proceeds to be applied to school purposes.