LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL, 1875.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4482, 31 July 1875, Page 2 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL, 1875.

The Bill provides date upon which it shall come into operation, and treats of the different descriptions of districts under three heads, viz.:—■ (a) Koad or highway districts already constituted under former Acts o." General Assembly or Provincial Ordinances; called " original districts." (b) Original districts converted into districts under tho provisions of the Bill by proclamation ; called " proclaimed districts." (c) Districts created under the Bill out of parts of the colony not proviously comprised within original districts ; called " new districts." PAIIT I. Relates to tho constitution of road districts. Original districts are brought under operation of Act by proclamation on petition to Governor of inhabitants possessing rateable property to at least half value of rateable property in district. Petition to set forth boundaries accurately, and the Act, &c, under which district is already constituted. Petition may be refused on counter petition being presented by equal or greater number of inhabitants.

Members of road boards, trustees, boards of wardens, commissioners, &c. (throughout the Bill spoken of as " the governing body ") remain in office and compose road board for the new district. Such persons go out of offico on the first Thursday in June happening after the constitution of the district under the Act, and members for the ensuing year are elected under the provisions of the Act. Until completion of voters' roll under the Act persons on ratepayers' rolls to bo entitled to vote for election of members of board.

Kates levied under old Act to remain in force ; rights, liabilities, &c, of boards incurred preserved ; and property of old board vested in new.

Any questions arising under the foregoing provisions to bo referred to Governor. "New districts" comprise an area of not less than fifteen square miles, also incorporated under similar petition to Governor, which may be refused on counter petition.

Districts may be united and boundaries altered, also on petition, and after consideration of petition for this purpose, and counterpetition (if any), due notice of which to be advertised, Governor, by order iu Council, to amalgamate districts. In such order in Council Governor to adjust property rights, &c. Governor to decide questions. Each district board under Act to consist of six members. Qualification. Rateable property to value of £25 at least, and enrollment either on ratepayers' or electors' rolls. Members of Boards retire annually iu rotation.

Qualification of Voters. —Possession of rateable property ; number of votes proportionate to value of property not exceeding hi any case six. Elections of members of boards to bo conducted by ballot ; chairman is elected by members of board ; chairman continues member of board for a year after olectiou, and Governor is empowered to appoint him a justice of the peace for the colony, having jurisdiction ■within the district ; salaries of officers of boards paid out of district fund ; revenue of board consists of rates, grants from Government, donations, &c. AH property within tho district rateable property, except unoccupied Government lauds, lands used by Government for public purposes, hospital, school, church, and other such lands which are exempted from rates, —Government lauds leased or occupied under license not exempt. Board makes annual valuation and levies rates for construction of works. Where special work required, separate rate levied after notice. "Roods, ferries, bridges, &c, under control of board. PART 11. Kelates to the construction of voters' rolls and manner of conducting elections ; elections to be conducted by ballot. TAUT 111. To the. proceedings of tho board ; board appoints its own times and places of meeting, &c; powers vested in board may be exercised by three members ; accounts to bo annually balanced and audited ; ratepayers may bo present at annual meeting. TART IV. Provides for tho constitution of shires ; two or more adjoining road districts may petition Governor to be amalgamated and formed ; and, upon petition being granted, the road districts become "ridings" of such shire. The district thus constituted a shire is to have a shire council, composed of members elected from each riding, and presided over by a chairman elected by the council. The powers and duties of tho various road boards thus amalgamated into the shire thereupon cease, and become vested in the shire council. Tho shire council will have power to take land for permanent works, such as roads, bridges, &c, and for public institutions, hospitals, asylums, libraries, &c., and may borrow money for such works on the security of special rates. Council to have control over all roads, tolls, bridges, ferries, and public works within the shiro. taut v. Contains miscellaneous provisions relating to recovery of penalties, making regulations, sottliug disputes, notifications in Ga:.cttc, &c, &c.