85

H.—l4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE No. 3. 1. Domain Boards. —The Committee recommends that all domains within counties be vested in County Councils or municipalities, and where a domain is adjacent to several boroughs the said domain shall be controlled by the largest local authority. 2. lioad Districts. —The Committee recommends that the present dual system of control by counties and road districts should cease, that the county system be the system that should be retained, and that due regard should be given to the interests of the districts now under the control of Road Boards with regard to representation and otherwise; The Committee also recommend that in the meantime some simpler method be adopted for merging Road Boards into counties than at present exists, such as by taking a poll. 1. Town Districts. —The Committee recommend that all town districts with a population of 500 and upwards be formed into boroughs; that all town districts with a population of under 500 be merged into counties or into adjacent boroughs, provision being made in the Counties Act for the establishment of local committees, by election or otherwise, to administer under the control of the County Council: that the counties should have the power noiv exercised by the present town districts, which may be delegated to committees. 2. Cemetery Boards.—The Committee recommend that the same provisions of administration as recommended to apply to domains should apply to Cemetery Boards. 3. River Districts and Drainage Districts. —The Committee recommend that river districts and drainage districts that operate within the confines of a county be abolished, and the duties of existing Boards be carried on by the County Councils or Borough Councils, or a joint or local committee, as the case may require. i. Water-supply Board. —The Committee recommend that the same provisions of administration as apply to river districts should apply to water-supply districts; but where the operations of a Water-supply Board extend into two or more counties the Board shall continue. 5. Harbour Boards. —The Committee recommend that County Councils or Borough Councils be empowered to exercise the duties of Harbour Boards in such cases where there is at present no Harbour Board, but that in such cases the county or borough should do this work in its capacity of a county or borough instead of a Harbour Board. The Committee recommend that, in the case of the merging into the counties of any class or classes of local all the powers and duties now exercised by such bodies be given to the County Councils. That powers sufficiently wide to enable the County Councils to efficiently carry out all the functions now imposed upon them be given them. 6. Counties. —That this Committee is of opinion that the multiplicity of small counties is a mistake; that the number of counties should be materially reduced, and that a Commission should be set up to inquire as to where amalgamation can be made, keeping in view the size, population, valuation, and community of interest of such counties. That the Committee affirms the desirability of retaining the present system of county franchise. That the present system of ridings in counties be retained. That a uniform system of accounts be adopted for local bodies. That the present system of triennial election be retained in the counties, and be made to apply to all local bodies, the elections to be held on the same day. Resolved. That a vote of thanks be accorded to the chairman.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE No. 4. Hospitals. 1. That this Committee recommends to the Conference that Part IX be deleted from the Bill, the present Act, with some minor amendments, being satisfactory. 2. That it be a recommendation to the Department to give the following matters its serious consideration : — («.) The alterations of boundaries, either by enlargement or otherwise. (b.) To place upon the estimates a sufficient sum annually to cope with consumption. (c.) That Receiving Homes be placed in the large centres for the reception of mental incipient cases, cost and maintenance of same to be borne by the mental authorities; also, that the treatment of habitual inebriates should be a charge on the same Department. (d.) That the Destitute Persons Act should be amended. Education. 3. Your Committee recommends that Part X of the Local Government Bill be eliminated. i. Your Committee suggests that the Minister should take steps to ascertain whether the boundaries of the various education districts cannot be improved.. 5. Your Committee suggests that the Minister should consider the question of subsidies (or capitation) now being paid to Boards, and Boards of Governors, for technical and manual training, and secondary work. 6. Your Committee suggests that the results of inquiries, if made, under Resolutions 4 and f> should be communicated to Boards for consideration, and for further alteration, if necessary, before any material amendment in the law is made.

12— H. 14.