GOLDFIELDS LOCAL REVENUES ACT.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1073, 20 May 1873, Page 2

GOLDFIELDS LOCAL REVENUES ACT.

Wo have received a copy of this Act which has passed its second reading in tho Provincial Council, and has been referred to a Select Committee.

The following is an abstract of its principal provisions : Power is vested in the Superintendent to constitute and limit districts wherein tho Act shall come into operation, to revoke such proclamation, or make other necessary provisions.

No district to contain less than fifty nor more than one hundred square miles, and no district to be constituted except upon a memorial from the majority of inhabitants, certified by a liesident Magistrate, that i:i his opinion the memorial has beeu signed by a majority. All persons whose names appear on the Electoral lioll for the time being in respect of property situated within any. district, and the holders of Business Licenses or Miners Itights, current within the district for three months, or renewed and in operation, are qualified to vote and take part in proceedings of general nie3tings or elections. Each District Board will consist of six members, any three of whom shall form a quornm. The number to be increased to eight at the option of the 'jupeririendent. One half of the members retire in rotation on the first Monday in the month of July, but with privilege of re-election. The date of election of the first Board to be fixed by the Superintendent as soon as conveniently may be after the constitution of the District. The voters themselves appointing a chairman who shall report to the Superintendent the names of the persons elected. The election to be by show of hands, or, if any candidate demand a poll, by ballot. Ln case of there being more than one polling place appointed in the district, the polling to take place on the Monday following the day of election, between the hours of ten in the forenoon and four at noon.

Where there is only one polling place the polling to commence immediately alter the nomination and continue for four hours.

Every person entitled to vote may vote for all or any of the candidates to be elected, striking off from a ballot paper the names of the candidates for whom he does not intend to vote. The names of members elected to be Gazetted and expenses of elections paid by the District Board. In case voters neglect to elect a Board it shall be lawful for the Superintendent to appoint or to fill up vacancies.

Any member refusing to act or absenting himself for three months will cease to be a member of the Board.

One half of the revenue derived from the sale or leasing of land, miners rights, or business licenses within any district to bo paid to the Board for expenditure on local public works. The Superintendent, if be shall think fit, may commit to the Board for expenditure any moneys appropriated by the Provincial Councial for public works within such district "to be appropriated in such manner, and for such purposes as the Superintendent shall direct or appoint." Al! moneys received under the Act to be paid to the Treasurer, and out payments to be made only on warrants signed by not less than three members of the Board. The Board may impose dues on all persons making use of any public work established under the Act. An abstract of all accounts of the Board to be annually made up to the fifteenth clay of June in each year, and a copy thereof laid before" the Provincial Councial at its next session. No member of the Board to hold paid office, nor be a contractor with, or have pecuniary interests in any contract entered into with the Board, nor receive emolument or gratuity under a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds.

The concluding clauses of the proposed Act provide for the infliction of penalties upon persons causing obstructions or building erections dangerous to passengers, horses, or cattle.