CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2216, 18 June 1891, Page 4

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON.

WBLLXNeraoMVJune 15. The Municipal Conference opened] this morning. The delegates, of whom over 40 ais present,: assembled in the Mayor's private room; and were welcomed by His Worship. The success of the Conference was drunk in bumpers. On returning to the Council Chamber* Mr A. W. Brown, May or of Wellington, was unanimously elected chairman, and Mr Page, town clerk, secretary. In his opening address Mr Brown expressed the opinion that more power ought to be accorded to municipal institutions, and if this were done they would not find, as very often was the case, Parliament undertaking duties which really belonged to the public works committee. There should, he thought, be differential legislation, as between the four large cities and other boroughs 1 . Especially was this'desirable in regard to sanitation. He hoped to see a municipal: association on a substantial basis'formed at this Conference. One of the most important questions to come up for discussion was the financial aspect of the municipal corporations. At the end of the Conference a deputation would wait on the Government and lay before them the result of their and Mr Ballance, who was in sympathy with them, would no doublt assist' thetd'as much its possible. , The principal resolutions carried in the afternoon-were as follow*:—"Thaty in the opinion of this conference, the variouY Provincial Auctioneers' Acts; should be consolidated, and that the Government be asked to introduce a Bill to the effect: that the license feed shall be payable to the borough in which the principal business premises; of the licensee are situated." " That municipal bodies should be given power (1) to stop the erection of buildings when the same are being put; up contrary to a bye law; (2) to; recover the cost of medical certificate: | and law expenses when ruinous build-! ings are being pulled down by order of the council." "That section 64 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1886,' be amended by striking out the words ' but only in respect of property, the* rates of which have not been paid.' " The mover explained that this would prevent any person voting on municipal' questions who had not paid up all his rates. June 16. It was decided that a clause be inserted in the Act, making it a penal offence for owners of houses to let or allow the same to be used for immoral purposes ;. also that power be given to municipal bodies to compel owners of vacant sections to fence the' same in all cases, and failing the owners the municipal bodies may fence ard charge the costs of such fencing on. the land.