1.—16

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Auckland Electric-power Board Amendment Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it is a local Bill; that the Standing Orders have been complied with; and that the rights and prerogatives of the' Crown are not affected. The Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. The Committee in the course of its consideration of the Bill has had representations made to it on matters which, while not within the objects of the Bill, it seems desirable to report to the House. They are — (a) The franchise for the election of members of the Auckland Electric-power Board is restricted to ratepayers, contrary to the prevailing practice in local-body representation and to principle now widely accepted. (Ib) The Auckland Electric-power Board exercises its functions under a special Act which, while closely following the general law under which other Power Boards function, yet introduces differences by way of addition and omission which, it is stated, cause inconvenience and are hard to justify. The repeal of this special Act was specifically urged in evidence given to the Committee. sth September, 1929.

Timaru Borough Empowering Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it is a local Bill; that the Standing Orders have been complied with; and that the rights and prerogatives of the Crown are not affected. The Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. sth September, 1929.

Ciiristchurch Electricity and General Empowering Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, Ifas the honour to report that it is a local Bill ; that the Standing Orders have been complied with ; and that the rights and prerogatives of the Crown are not affected. The Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. 19th September, 1929.

Wellington City and Suburban Highways Construction and Hutt Road Amendment Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it is a local Bill ; that the Standing Orders have been complied with, with the exception of those parts of Standing Orders 361 and 366 which were suspended by the House ; and that the rights and prerogatives of the Crown are not affected. The Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. 19th September, 1929.

Borough of Lyttelton Corporation Enabling Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it is a local Bill; that the Standing Orders have been complied with ; and that the rights and prerogatives of the Crown are affected, inasmuch as the Bill proposes to vest in the Corporation of the Borough of Lyttelton certain land formerly taken for Defence purposes. The Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. 2nd October, 1929.

Wanganui Harbour Disirict and Empowering Amendment Bill. The Local Bills Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it is a local Bill; that the Standing Orders have been complied with ; and that the rights and prerogatives of the Crown are not affected. The Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. 2nd October, 1929.

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