SYNOPSIS OF THE OTAGO KOADS ORDINANCE 1865.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 215, 14 March 1872, Page 7

SYNOPSIS OF THE OTAGO KOADS ORDINANCE 1865.

The Otago Roads Ordinance 1865, enacts that when a Road Board district has been proclaimed, four qualified persons shall be elected as a local Board at a meeting of persona liable to be rated, convened by the Superintendent, upon not less than ten days notice iv the " Gazette," and held in the month of June.

The members of the Board then elected, hold office for twelve months.

Such local board " subject to the provisions in this ordinance contained aud to the authorities and powers of the General Board shall have the care, direction and management of the several public roads lying within their district, and of the repairing and maintaining of the same, and of all public works connected therewith, and shall direct and superintend the expenditure of all moneys entrusted and paid over to them for the purpose of such roads,orworks,or other purposes of this ordinance, and shall exercise all such other powers competent to the General Road Board, as the General Road Board shall within their respective districts be the local authorities within tho meaning of the Town and Country Police Ordinance 1862, so far as relates to the granting to do the Acts otherwise forbidden to bo done in and by the clauses of the ordinance mentioned.

The local boards are by the ordinance invested with power subject to the approval of the General Road Board, to appoint officers and remunerate them. They are to keep minute books, and proper account books. The accounts are to be audited annually, or at any time tho General Road Board may direct, and an abstract of the accounts is to be published in the " Gazetto " or a newspaper circulating in the district, within one month after they are audited. Any person having paid tho rates due by him, can at any time on payment of one shilling examine the book 3.

The Boards can levy a general rate, or special rates on portions of the district, aud separate accounts of such special rates shall be expended only in the portion of the district on which it is levied. Neither general rate nor special rate are to exceed Is per acre on land assessed per year, but with the consent of two-thirds of the ratepayers, the general or special rate can be increased to any amount above one shilling per aero.

The General Board can allow any local board to levy rates on tho assessment of thp annual value " of all lands, houses, mills, building, and hereditaments within such district," instead of on the acreage. The local board applying to the General Board for this permission, and must advertise their intention of so doing in the " Gazette," or a newspaper circulating in the district, at least 14s days previous to making such application.

An assessment roll is to be kept by clerks of the local board.

Ratepayers who have paid all rates due, are entitled to vote as follows :—: — If rated in respect of property if net annual value not exceeding £50, 1 vote ; exceeding <£50 and not exceeding £100, 2 votes; exceeding £100 and not exceeding £150, 3 votes ; exceeding £150 and not exceeding £200, 4 votes ; exceeding £200, 5 votes.