THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2041, 14 July 1885, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL.

Acommitteo of tho Mastorton Borough Council has gone through tho Municipal Corporations Bill now beforo tho Parliament, and made i> number of suggestions for amendments, somo of which arc absolutely necesaary if the measure is to bo a workable one. Tho mora important of these uro embodied in tho following extract from the notes of MrR, Brown, the Town Clerk, weo has devoted a good deal of time to the subject. Clause 3—This clause provides that nothing in the Act shall affect any property of Her Majesty. It is suggested that this should be either expunged ty modified, so that building regulations and by-laws relating to nuisances may be carried out. Clause B.—Provides that officers may retire from the service of a Borough by handing their resignation in writing either to the Town Clerk or. Mayor. As this seems to imply that there would be no necessity for giving notice, it is suggested that an amendment should be made. Clauses 12 and 171—Each of these clauses requires that tho annual accounts shall be furnished to the Colonial Treasurer at different times, and for different purposes. According to Clause 12 they' must be sent in by the first day of May, but as they are not to be certified to by the Council till the second Tuesday in May, it would be impossible to send certified copies. It is suggested to substitute "June" for "May," Cause GO—Unnecessary, the matter being already provided for in the proper place, namely, in the Rating Act, 187 G. Clause 61—That with regard to the defaulters' list the seventh day of April be substituted for the thirty-first day of March, aud the thirty-fiyst day of March for the thirty-first day of December. This would have the effect of making the defaulters' list coterminous with the financial year.

Clause 02.—1t Is suggested that, to correspond with other amendments, the date for making out the Burgess list bo the seventh day of April in place of the thirtyfirst day of March. Other clauses relating to the Burgess Roll are to bo altered accordingly. Clause 119—Special orders—The clause to be amended so as to correspond with clause 32 of the Counties Act Amendment Act 1882, the present system being too expensive and cumbersome. There is no power to amend a resolution before adoption. Public notice of a proposod resolution thoi/ld be given, not of tlio adopted resolution, and power should bo given to attend bofere adoption. Clause 145—Tliat an amendment be made to give power to levy a. special rate for interest, as well as for intorest and sinking fund, when .the principal alono is secured on other moneys, but it is necessary to provide Interest by special rate It is conßidoreddoubtful whetherthe clause gives powor to levy such rate. •Clause 182—That tho majority required to carry a proposal for a special loan be altered to two-thirds of tho total number of votes recorded for and against, as in clause 186. In many boroughs, owing to the number of unknown owners and nonresident voters, it is impossible to poll three-fifths of the total number of votes.

Clause 185—Tho first portion of the last paragraph is directly opposed to clause 186, which provides for 'a lower majority, The marginal notes of the two clauses appoar to bo transposed,

Clause 195—'This clause is simply an absurdity, in its present shape. It reads: —"Every debenture issued under this Act shall bs in tho form of the seventh schedule, and shall be numbered consecutively, so that no debenture shall at any twio bear the same number."

CliiMßo 229—1t is suggested that tho definition of streets, etc., bo made clearer.

Clauso 260—1t is aimed to make the law regarding pri vato stroets les3 stringent, in so far that under specified conditions they may be declared public streets. A number of further amendments suggested relate chiefly to the abatement of nuisances on private property, lire prevention, and building regulations.