"THE COUNTIES ACT."

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 691, 18 November 1876, Page 3

"THE COUNTIES ACT."

Si*, — The 15 b section of the " Counties Act, Ib76, '' appears to be directly O|>po«ert to the prinr-ipl- of "local self government." The preceding section prorido* (htt the Governor in Council may co mtitut« a new count/ on the petition of not Ipm than one • fourth of the county electors fo- th<- district c m rued therein, provided no counter p'tition signed l>y ■ n equal or ureater numb- r of such county electors is pr tented If the so<i counter p. tition la not presented, it may be fairly (>r. turned th it more than three* founhs of the elect ora are in favour of | the constitution cf t lie new county. By the 15th section of the AC, thr pr'Claraaiiun constituting such county mu^t be " laid before Parliament withm tt-n days after its next stttinv after thf i-sue thereof," and may be disallowed by a re>oluuon of both H"usct. If ike electors of th^ riulricts inferetted, with tl>e appior.l < i the Governor in Cnuncil, are not competent to decide whether th*>y chull be formed into ■ county or no 1 , mr-ly the m mtara of the Colonial legislature, the gro ter part of whom mutt he entirey innorant ol th<* requtrementt ot the district ure ttiil less nble to arrive at any tuch decn-iou. In fa t, the small portion of really loot) self government rouclitof d to us is to be nt the mercy of members from otiier l>rofinces, and even from the other island. ~~ (he tame remarks apply to the 26th auction of the Act, respecting the union of counties — Your obedient Servant, Thomas Wtlbon, Chairman Aewcftnlle Disirut Board. Te Koao, Ngaruawthia, Noftmber 14, 1876.