COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2091, 28 May 1907, Page 1

COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

THE REMITS

Following am digests of some of the remits to be considered at the annual conference of the Counties Association, to be held in ‘Wellington on July 9th : That Counties be given the right of appeal from decisions of the Supreme Court upon decisions affecting the bylaws. That Counties should have the same powers as- Municipal Corporations in the matter of drainage. That colonial County Councils and Road Boards should consider the advisability of inaugurating a superannuation fund for their officers and employees, and that all other local bodies bo asked to co-operate. That Councils lie allowed to enter at oncp on electoral rolls persons who cease to be defaulters. That the time for confirmation of special orders be extended to 65 days; that a schedule be placed in the Counties Act for the regulation of road traffic, which may be adopted by special order by Counties ; that it be decided whether a County can levy differential general rates ip the different ridings; that power be given Counties to call for a Commission to go into the matter of alterations to boundaries; that power be given the Treasury to fund the debt of a riding when it lias become too burdensome to the County; that Public Halls be allowed to be used for public meetings and entertainments. That the incomplete manner in which Native lands are entered op the valuation rolls renders the collection of a rate an impossibility and

nullifies the object of “The Native Lands Rating Act, 1904” ; that local authorities bo allowed to appoint one assessor on all Assessment Courts in oases’ when local rating is in question ; that the name of the occupier and owner of all ratable Native land be. put in the valuation roll. That tlio Government ho asked to take over and administer the charitable aid of tlio colony with a view to a more equitable .method of settling this important question to local bodies. That the amount of driving fees under the Impounding Act be increased; that rangers bo required to dolivor to tho owner, stock found on roads whenever the owner is in time to claim tho stock alter seizure and before impounding, on tho payment of tho driving fee. That the appointment of returning oiiicors for Licensing Districts be placed in tho hands of tlio controlling authority lor the district. That subsidies be incroasod on a graduated scale; that a larger subsidy should be paid to Counties not served by a railway, as tlio traffic is much greater on the roads than when there is a railway; that a higher subsidy should bo paid to those Counties which striko the highest rates; that all local bodies be subsidised to tlie extent of os in the £ on a Jd general rate and 2s 6d in tlio £ on every additional farthing of general rate, and ii this subsidy cannot be granted to all local bodies it should be paid to Counties, so that main arterial roads can bo kept in reasonable order; that the Government subsidy should bo on the rates collected by the County anti not on the rates collected by the Road Board. That Counties be allowed t borrow up to 1 per cent, on their capital value in any one year; that power be given to form a fund for the renewal of bridges over 30ft span instead of submitting a proposal to strike a rate to the ratepayers; that the regulation restricting the borrowing powers of the larger counties to £6OOO per annum is inequitable. That the Government take over all tlie main roads as enumerated iii the Bill of 1900. That the extension of the franchise to Parliamentary voters should not be granted. That the Government take vigorous steps to stop the spread of noxious weeds on' Crown and Native lands. That tho law he simplified to enable counties to make by-laws which will stand legal test tithe regulation of extraordinary traffic on roads. That the procedure for stopping roads be simplified and cheapened. That the Government enact provisions general to tho colony for tlie regulation and control of motor cars. That permanent provision be made by the Legislature for grants on the basis of rates collected for the upkeep of main arterial roads. That it he decided whether mortgagees can he held liable for overdue rates. That land set aside for reserves or endowments be vested in Road Boards. That freo passes on the Government railways be granted to County Chairmen and to County- Engineers within their respective Counties.