MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5414, 3 August 1878, Page 3

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

The Conference resumed their sittings again yesterday morning, Mr. Standish, in the absence of the Mayor of Wellington, occupied the chair. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, the Conference considered the remaining clauses of tile Municipal Corporations Act. Mr. Charters moved, —That in the opinion of this Conference it is desirable that the colony should furnish increased facilities to municipalities for raising, loans for works and improvement;', cither by guarantee to the creditor by establishing a commission in London, or by providing' for the more effective amalgamation of such loans In London. The motion was carried. ' Mr. BRETT moved, and It was carried, with reference to elausu 311, relating to tolls, that the period bo extended from twelve months to three years, and lie pointed out that there was a general'.complaint.' that the period of one year was tod'short,‘as a man by strict atteu-

tiou to his duties during a year might establish a flourishing business, _ and under the present system he would be liable to lose the result of hi.) industry. . , • Air. Gisboune moved the question of charitable aid. .* , On the suggestion of Mr. StandlSH, the question was allowed to stand over until to-day. Clause 341.—The Governor may disallow by-laws within six months. _ Tins clause was amended by the time being reduced to three months. Clause 350 ; Land to be reserved. _ _ Mr. Dhanspieui moved that the limit of 2000 acres, as provided in the clause, be increased to 10,000. He explained that the Corporation of Wellington was desirous of obtaining the reservation of the water-shed at the Wainuiomata, to provide for an ino .eased water-supply. ■ . Mr. Thompson remarked that m Otago there was some doubt as to whether the maximum should he reduced in place of being increased. Air. AImIRAY said the resolution opened up a very important question. There was a large number of applications for these endowments throughout the country for various areas. He did not think that there was auy chance of Wellington obtaining 10,000 acres, except by special, enactment. After some little discussion the motion was amended as follows, and carried,—That upon application by the corporation of any borough the Governor v/> shall reserve, for providing water supply, and purposes connected there* with, or foi purposes of drainage, any waste Linda of the Crown, not exceeding 10,000 acres, in the vicinity of such borough, and shall have power to sell such reserves ‘to the Corporation at market value in trust of such purposes. The value to'be ascertained by a competent valuer. The Conference then adjourned.