MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1441, 27 July 1883, Page 2

MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT.

The following is the report of the Committee of the Masterton Borough Council appointed to consider the Municipal. Corporation Consolidation Bill now before the House, and to report any suggested amendments to the M.H.R. of this district.

After careful consideration the committee resolved to submit the following suggestions for the consideration of Mr Beetham, in the hope that he will J? endeavor to have effect given to the r proposals as far as practicable. Clause 4, exempting Government property from the operation of any bye-laws.—That this cluuse is objectionable, and goes far beyond the provision of Sec, 141, Public Works Act, : , ; : 1882, "concerning Railways. It -is ' suggested that the clause be struck out or considerably modified. Clause 13, providing for statements of accounts to be sent to the Colonial Treasurer, under a penalty of M on the Mayor,—This clause is objectionable for two reasons i Ist, because the financial year closes on the 31sf : March, and it is impossible to forward the statements on or before the Ist of Aprft 2nd, there is in clause 163 provision for sending to the Colonial Treasurer by the Ist of June .similar returns. As the yearly accounts are by law to be made up by the 15th' April, and finally settled by tho 2nd Tuesday in May, it is submitted that the time mentioned in clause 13 should be altered to the Ist of June, and if the penal portion is desirable, clause 163 is not required. It is also suggested that the penalty should be "notexceeding" &> for "wilful" neglect or refusal.

Clauses 60 to 71, Burgess Rolls and Defaulters lists.—lt is suggested that a new clause be added giving power to boroughs to make a special order for the following purposes;— Dispensing with Defaulters-lists and Burgess rolls j inflicting, a penalty of 10 per cent for all outstanding rates after the lapse of days from the date such rateß were made payable, such penalties to, : jbe recoverable in the samo maimer;; m.' 1 the rates. This provision would iW>'""„ adopting the principle of the Propi'iWJfif Tax, and simplifying work. Tt is lieved many boroughs would avail themselves of the privilege, it would be of groat service in collecting rates, and the proposal would inflipt no injury being optional.

Clause 105, rescinding resolutions, —lt has been austomary for some Councils, when unanimous to rescind previous resolutions without notice, this clause makes notice necessary " in eiihe.l case," If it i 8 intended to alter the previous practise, then the words either by the unanimous vote of the councillors" appear superfluous.: It is suggested that Councils should be allowed to rescind or vary resolutions without notice when unanimous.

Clause 116, relating to special ;■ ,- orders.—lt is suggested that the pro-i '• cess of making special orders should be simplified, as done in the Counties }p Amendment Act, 1882, or that sub section 2 and 3 be struck out, and in their place a provision that such special meeting or resolution shall bo previously advertised,. and each, conn-, ■>. cillor notified.;:; ■: .■'•; ': • r.;

Clause 137, Separate Rates.-Tkt this clause be so amended that whore burgesses petition for-a •separate rate for specified works they may petition for, and the Council may make and levy, an annually recurring rate until .q such ; wprk is paidifohNLnimostfeaseiA I '- at present the power-gtven is useless, as the full separate rate of Is (for one year only) would not provide the required funds. It is urged that when

. the burgesses, are willing to pay for work .no impediment -ahbtihl be placed in their way,,. principle ,is»recognisM'.iii ; t|toMds imd^Bndgea'Coiistrjuctiph Ait in GAinity districts,-'' . ,'. t, .Clause 173, -Majority of-Votes; re- ' #ired to 'airy.loan'-proposals;—lt is ■ Bfiigßted tbat'if the 'intention of the AtP's according to. the, alteration in ' this 'clause, i; will be impossible for • many boroughs tbMso lead however necessary':' tliat-.tlie fairest way would be to make it necessary-to carry a loan ~ proposal that there must lie a majority in favor of two-thirds' of the votes polled. . , ~; . ;." .;■ > --. ~;, . ; ~A. Bisii, JJavor.