NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4860, 19 October 1876, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1876. -

For transmission ;by iA« P.iI.C.S. Australia, from Wellington, on the SOth October, to Europe, via San Francisco.

The despatch ,of our last summary left the Ministry of Major Atkinson clear of the technical difficulties-which the assiduity of the Opposition had raised around them. Since then.pretty good progress has been made with the business of the country, though that progress has been repeatedly delayed by the disposition of Sir George Grey to move all sorts of amendments, in the cause_ of universal justice and suffering humanity, on the motion for going into Committee of Supply. The Counties Bill however, the Municipal Corporations Acs Amendment Bill, various Harbor Board Bills, ■ and several private measures have been passed by the Lower House, and sent up to the Legislative Council, where they ‘ were dealt with in a mariner that has excited some feeling; but the matter will, of course, end in a compromise. The Council have resolutely cut out all powers of borrowing, and from the Harbor Board Bills all clauses bestowing endowment. If this were carried out, of course there would be an end to all utility of the local self-government to be conferred by the Bills. But as this would lead to a falling back on provincialism,, a compromise, as we have said, will be arrived at. The counties and municipalities will be permitted special borrowing powers : that is to say, on a distinct affirmative vote by the ratepayers, and general borrowing powers for a sum equal to one year’s revenue will be allowed them. This will in reality enable county and municipal councils to carry out all their functions, and at the same time will give a salutary check to irresponsible borrowing by either.

The political event of the month has been the publication of his Excellency the Governor’s despatch on the subject of Sir George Grey’s extraordinary ■letter. The despatch has been endorsed by public opinion throughout the colony, and places the political situation in a clear and convincing light. The amended Counties Bill was circulated on the 23rd September. The alterations are as follows ;—The number and description of the counties are left blank, to be determined upon in committee. Each Council may determine by resolution at its first meeting that a part of the Act shall not come into force in the county ; and the Chairman shall forthwith send_ a copy of such resolution to the Colonial Secretary. If the Council does not pass such a resolution at its first meeting the whole of the Act shall be deemed to have come into force in the county. If any Council determine that the said part of the-Act shall not come into force in the county, then none of the provisions of the Act relating to the following subjects shall have any force in the county, viz. Alterations in ridings and outlying districts. The merger of road districts and vesting of their assets, liabilities* and powers in the county. The voting qualification and preparation of electoral rolls for ridings and outlying districts, and other provisions in connection with elections therefor. The qualification of County Chairman. Penalties for acting as Councillor when disqualified, and the dates of holding elections for the County Council. Extraordinary business_ and the revocation of resolutions. Committees of the Council and proceedings of such committees. The public offices of the Council and attendance, &c., thereat. The employment of officers and the holding of offices by members of the Council. The payment of moneys, fines, &c., into the county fund. The appointment of bankers and dealing with banking accounts. The whole of the sections from 100 to 200 inclusive, dealing with the levying of general and special rates, accounts, audits, ordinary and special loans, borrowing powers and repayment of loans generally, making and entering into contracts, making by-laws for the good government of the county, and the control of public works, charitable institutions, public libraries, markets, pedlars and hawkers, slaughterhouses, pounds, &c. Any Council which has passed such a resolution as that before mentioned shall not thereafter hold any meeting or transact any business except in the case of a double election under section 61, when they shall have and exercise the powers thereby given ; and any Council may at any time thereafter hold a special meeting for the purpose of determining, and may {determine by resolution,' that the whole of the Act shall come into force in the county ; and the Chairman shall send a copy of such resolution to the Colonial Secretary. If such Council determines by resolution at any such special meeting, as before provided, that the whole of the Act shall come into force within the county, then the whole of the' Act shall be in force therein on and after the next day after the passing of such resolution, and such resolution shall not thereafter be altered or rescinded by the Council.