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1931. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1931.

Laid on the Table oj the House of Representatives by Leave.

Sir, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 29th June, 1931. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1931. I have, &c, G. P. Newton, Under-Secretary. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs.

KĒPORT.

Local Goveenment. There was not the same activity as usual during the year in local-government matters. The prevailing depression affected the activities of local authorities, and this was reflected in the Department's work. Counties. —The boundaries of four counties were altered by the transfer of land from one county to another ; and county and riding boundaries were also affected by borough alterations. Three County Councils passed special orders altering riding boundaries and adjusting representation. The Hutt County Council was authorized to fix water charges according to the quantity consumed. The holding of the annual meeting of the Ashley County Council on a date other than that prescribed by law was validated. - The Counties Conference met in Wellington and passed a number of resolutions recommending alteration in the law relating to county government. These resolutions were subsequently submitted to the Government, and are under consideration. The Department was represented at the Conference. Boroughs. —One new borough —namely, Huntly (formerly a Town District) —was constituted, and the usual action taken for the election of a Borough Council. The Borough of Palmerston North was proclaimed a city, the population of that borough having reached 20,000. Palmerston North is the eighth city proclaimed in the Dominion, the others being Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson, Wanganui, and Wellington. Ten petitions for the alteration of borough boundaries were considered. Six of these petitions were granted, and the boundaries of the borough concerned and the adjoining district altered accordingly ; in two cases no alteration was made ; and two of the petitions are still under consideration. The Pukekohe Borough Council was authorized to fix water charges according to the quantity consumed. Certain building regulations were made as an emergency measure for the boroughs of Napier, Hastings, and Wairoa, these regulations being necessary to meet certain conditions arising out of the Hawke's Bay earthquake disaster. Town Districts. —One new town district—namely, Mount Maunganui, in the County of Tauranga— was constituted. The proposal to form the Paihia Town District, in the Bay of Islands County, was adversely reported on by a Commission, and was not proceeded with. The Otane Town District was merged in the Patangata County by special order of the Patangata County Council. The boundaries of Howick Town District were altered by the inclusion of lands therein ; and two petitions for the alteration of boundaries of Johnsonville Town District are still under consideration. Three Town Boards were authorized to fix water charges according to the quantity consumed. The number of Commissioners for Otorohanga Town District was increased from five to seven.

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