The Westport Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1874.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1155, 3 March 1874, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1874.

It is necessary, as a subject of public interest, to note briefly the amendment of the Goldfields Local Revenues Act, 1873. The amendment is one among the few short Acts passed during the late session of the Provincial Council. It gives the Superintendent expressly defined powers to create new districts, by altering'and re-defining the boundaries of existing districts, it gives to tenants under any goldmining lease the power to vote at elections, and it amends section 22 of the original Act by adding to the revenue available for the Boards, and represented by one-half of the funds derived from the sale or leasing of lands, or from miners rights, or business licenses, one-half also of the fees derived from licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquors. A bit of provincial legislation, by-the-by, that will place the " Nelson Goldfields Local Eevenues Act," and the General Assembly "Licensing Act, 1873," in direct antagonism, the object of the one being to obtain as much revenue as possible from a certain defined source, and the other Act tending to limit the number of contributors of revenue to that source. Passing by any present reference to this particular point, we would call attention to a Proclamation appearing in the Nelson Provincial Gazette of the 20th February last, wherein his Honor, Oswald Curtis, fulfilling the recommendation of the Provincial Council, declares that certain sections of the Highway Boards Empowering Act, 1871, shall extend and apply to the Goldfields Local Eevenues Act, 1873, and the Amendment Act of 1574. The portions of the Act extending to districts constituted under the Local Revenues Act are parts numbered two to seven, and may be thus summarized : " Part 11. G i ves power to levy rates on waste lands of the Crown, sold or grauted to be sold, also on waste lands leased or held under license or authority (other than for mining gold, or occupied for public purposes) also on lands held under the Native Lands Act, 1565, and all lands over which the native title has not been extinguished, if in the occu. pation of any other than an aboriginal native."

" Part 111. Gives power of appeal Against rates. The appellor first giving seven days notice in writing to the Board that his appeal will be made at the Resident Magistrate's Court, or Court of Petty Sessions, liolden nearest to such rateable property as may be considered unjustly assessed. Such Courts holding power to amend rates. The same j)art of the Act validates the production of the Eate Book as evidence of the liability of ratepayers, and authorises the summary issue of order and distress warrant to seize property of defaulting ratepayers who may be about to quit any house or rateable property without paying rates.

" Part IV. Empowers the Boards to make By-laws and impose penalties for transgression of such By-laws." " Part Y. Gives certain powers as to the extension of Main lioads. Where a main road has been formed up to the lo.mdary of a district, and no continuous road has been formed in an adjoining district, the Board may apply to the Superintendent of the Province for an order that a sufficient road shall be made, and the expense borne either by the Public "Works Construction Fund of the adjoining district, or jointly hy the funds of both distiicts at the option of the Superintendent, with whom also rests the approval of plans and specifications, and power to appoint persons to effect the construction of the specified works, if the Board ("or governing body) of any district fail to comply with any order made to that effect. " PartYlmakes theßoaident Magistrate's Court a court of appeal ns to the validity of elections of members of the Board, with power to oust from office any member who may be deemed unduly elected, or who after election, becomes disqualified. I

"Part VII. Griveß power' to the Board to take land for permanent works, such as the inakiug of new roads, or diverting or widening existing roads, the raising, lowering, or alteration of the ground or soil of roads, the construction and establishment of bridges, the making of drains, and the erection of any building, structure, or fence necessary for the proper formation of roads. Subject to due publicity being given of intended operations and the deposit of maps, plans, and specifications at the office of the Board for public inspection, and subject also to the payment of full compensation for the value of all lauds taken, and damage sustained by the owners or occupiers. It will be seen that by these additions the original Groldfields Local Revenues Act has become a more practicable measure than heretofore, but we hold strongly to the opinion that instead of patching one imperfect Act with shreds from another, it will be necessary for the Provincial Council to compile and adopt one comprehensive Act that will prove workable and useful in every respect. The test of utility in the present Act will be found on the assessment of property and collection of rates, and ratepayers will await the result with some degree of interest.