MUNICIPAL CONTROL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1921, Page 5

MUNICIPAL CONTROL.

ANNUAL MEETING OF OFFICERS. SOME IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 4. The conference Of delegates of he Municipal Association of New Zealand was opened this morning by the Gov-ernor-General. There was a very large attendance, including Sir Francis Bell, who made some references to the legislation which the Department of Internal Affairs proposed to introduce in regard to local body overdrafts. The conference adopted a proposal by the Devonport Borough Council that a ratepayers’ and freeholders’ roll and a residential electors’ roll should be prepared, omitting unnecessary particulars. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. F. T. Bellringer (New Plymouth), that section 13 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, should be amended to authorise the town clerk to add to the district electors’ roll the mimes of electors whose claims for enrolment have been actually received by him before the time fixed by the Act for the closing of such rolls. ’

A resolution was carried proposing an amendment to the Municipal Corporations Act providing that local bodies may have power to compel owners of corner sections to lower to three feet nine inches any hedge obstructing the view of those riding or driving along the road.

An amendment to the Act was urged to enable the Council to require buildings upon property owned by the Crown to be connected with the public sewer; also to give permission to the borough to make a separate drainage rate covering the whole or any portion of the area under this control for the upkeep and general carrying on or extension of its sewerage and drainage works. The payment of councillors serving on local bodies was advocated, or that local bodies be given power to pay from time to time one guinea to members when attending meetings. Both proposals were defeated.

It was decided that legislation be sought to empower the Municipal Associations to provide a fidelity guarantee fund, by levying all local bodies affiliated. It was also decided that the maximum general rate leviable by town boards be increased from three half-pence to twopence in the pound on the capital value. It was resolved that the Government be urged to take steps to introduce a uniform set of compulsory by-laws dealing with sanitary plumbing and drainage. It was decided) to urge that the Municipal Corporations Act be amended to permit limited companies, firms and institutions, who are themselves ratepayers, to register a vote either at loan polls or elections by the appointment of a representative, whose name must appear on the rate book, such representative not to lose his own or wife’s qualification to vote.

The conference decided, after some discussion, to recommend legislation fixing a standard purity of gas supplied by municipal undertakings, with charges according to its heating properties.