LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE (REPORT OF THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1890 Session I, I-09

1.—9

1890. NEW ZEALAND.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE (REPORT OF THE).

Brought tip 11th September, 1890, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OP REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 30th Day op July, 1890. Resolved, " That a Committee be appointed to consider and report on the question of local government; with power to call for persons and papers; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Dr. Hodgkinson, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Tanner, Mr. R. Thompson, Mr. Lawry, Mr. O'Conor, the Hon. Mr. Bryce, Mr. Saunders, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Fergus.)

EEPOET. The Local Government Committee have the honour to report that, owing to the advanced stage of the session when it was set up, allowing of so little time for maturely considering a subject of such magnitude and importance, and to the press of other public business, they can only report briefly. 1. Your Committee believe the present state of local government to be unsatisfactory, and they think that local bodies having separate elections and distinct powers are too numerous, but that with reduced numbers and extended areas the remaining bodies should have extended duties and powers conferred upon them, to enable them to discharge such functions as are now performed by Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, Education Boards, Land Boards, Licensing Committees, Stock Department, &c. 2. That the financial position of local bodies should be established on an assured basis, avoiding fluctuation and uncertainty as far as possible. Samuel Hodgkinson, 11th September, 1890. Chairman. [The papers of the Committee were not ordered to be printed.] \Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,200 copies), 14s. Gd..]

By Authority: Geobcie Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9o.