The Westport Times. FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 969, 10 May 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1872.

Our last issue contained a telegraphic summary of the "Towns Improvement Bill," intended to provide for the making and maintaining of roads, streets, and public walks, in towns not at present subject to Municipal G-overninent. The proposed Act is now under consideration in the Provincial Council, and will, in all probability become law. As it will most intimately concern the inhabitants of Westport, and other communities similarly circumstanced, we now give in seriatim, the principal provisions of the proposed Act, which, in its present form consists of 51 clauses. After repealing the "Nelson Improvement Act, 1856, Amendment Act, 1858," and the " Improvement Amendment Act, 1562," it provides that the Act come into operation in the City of Nelson immediately on the passing thereof, and within such other towns', and at such times, as the Superintendent shall direct, "on receiving a petition to that effect, signed by not less than fifty inhabitant householders, resident within the limits of such town." Every person whose name shall appear on the Electoral Roll for each town, shall be qualified to vote and take part in the proceedings, preliminary to the levying of the first rate on property, and thereafter all persons duly paying such rates shall be likewise qualified. For carrying into effect the provisions of the Act, a Board, consisting of eight members, anvjthree of whom shall form a quorum, must be elected. One half of the members retiring yearly in rotation. The polling and voting for members to be by ballot. The town being divided into wards, at the option of the Superintendent, and all expenses attending the election of members to be paid by the Board for the town. In case of neglect of voters in any town or ward to elect a Board, or fill up vacancies therein, power is vested in the Superintendent to appoint persons to hold office. The Boards for each town when thus constituted, will have power to cause assessments to be made " upon the estimated value to sell of the lauds and tenements comprised therein." Ordinary rates to be " of not less than one half-penny, and not exceeding two pence, in the pound," upon such estimated value, and to bo expended in making and maintaining roads, bridges, "drains, and other public works within the town. Clause 24 stipulates that the rates shall be paid by the occupiers of property, or in case there shall be no occupier, by the owner thereof, with the exception that " the owners of all rateable property let to weekly or monthly tenants or in separate apartments," shall pay rates instead of the occupiers. Clause 25 stipulates that the days for payment of all rates shall be publicly notified, but in its present form the Bill contains no provision for appeal against assessment., an omission that will doubtless be rectified prior to the Bill becoming law. It is further stipulated that " whenever it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Superintendent that two-thirds in number, of the owners of property adjoining any street or road, representing two-thirds in value of such property," shall have signified their willingness to be specially rated for particular improvements in such street or road, the Board may, if it see fit, cause such improvements to be effected, the cost thereof to be paid by the owners of property adjoining such street or road in yearly instalments, provided by a special rate not exceeding pence in the pound, upon the assessed value of their property, subject to the proviso that " no owner shall be liable for the payment of such rate who. shall not in the opinion of the Board, be benefited by the outlay. Clause 28 provides that the Superintendent shall, if he think fit, " commit to the Board the expenditure of any moneys appropriated by the Provincial Council for the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, drains, or other public works within the town," such moneys to be appropriated "in such manner, and for such purposes as the Superintendent shall direct." The

Board may, with the sanction of the Superintendent, impose reasonable dues upon all persons making use of any public work established under the authority of the proposed Act Due provision is made for the keeping and auditing of accounts, and the annual publication of an abstract or balance sheet; and no member of a Board will be permitted to be a contractor with or hold any paid office in the gift of such Board. Then follows a number of penal clauses, authorising the infliction of divers penalties, varying from ten shillings to one hundred pounds, for offences as usually set forth in Municipal Ordinances. The Board for each town being empowered to appoint an Inspector of Nuisances, authorised to enter upon any premises " not being dwelling houses," for the purpose of ascertaining whether nuisances exist. The Board is also empowered to make, repeal, alter or amend all by-laws, necessary for better ensuring the public health and safety of the inhabitants, and for the speedy and effectual abatement of nuisances. The last clause of the proposed Act exempts from its operation all Crown lands —unless leased or held under license—lands reserved or set apart for public purposes, public worship, or vested in trust for any public object. Such are the principal provisions of an Act, which in a comprehensive and intelligible form will fill an obvious void in Provincial Statutes. Omitting the cumbrous details and doubtful dignities, incidental to Municipal Ordinances, administered by full fledged Mayors and self-important Town Councillors: it vests in local boards, constituted in plain practical fashion, ample powers and authorities to carry out all works necessary for the improvement of towns, the preservation of property, or the health of communities ; and, while restricting the arbitary exercise of such powers, gives full scope for the legitimate exercise of important and essentially requisite public functions- At the risk of repeating to unwilling or deadened ears, oft proffered advice, we would again urge upon the people of Westport to summons up resolution enough to meet together and, in business like method, discuss the merits, or demerits, of the proposed measure, with a view to de cide how far it is likely to prove available to meet their present and prospective emergencies. To our rr.inds the old fable of the loosened bundle of sticks is being every day verified in Westport. " Each man for himself and God for us all," is a very good motto under certain circumstances, but the twin maxim, " Heaven helps those who help themselves," is also worthy of remembrance. It is mere suicidal folly to allow the everlasting roll of the encroaching sea to lull us into dreamy lethargy, while property, lives, and every thing dear to weak humanity, is in daily jeopardy. This alone, apart from all other considerations should arouse some at least of our leading men to action.