LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3339, 4 October 1911, Page 8

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

N.3.W. BILL DRAFTED.

THE COMING CONFERENCE

The N.S.W. Goverrnnnrt lias decided to:introduce anAmend i n gLocal Government Bill into Parliament, and 1 to em-. body into it important features. First of all councils are to be allowed to deposit funds in the Savings Bank, and draw interest tihiercion' at the rate cf 3 per cent up to £SOO, and! 21 per cent on the balance over that amount. The Government proposes also to include in the bill provision that vendors of land sold on time payment remain liable for the rates until all the purchase money is paid, and that unoccupied land upon which rates are in arrears may be sold by councils at the end of six years by order of the Court; that the administration of fire brigades and control of motors behandedover to councils jalso that councils should have control over the size of allotments of land used for building and over the position of the buildings to be erected that debentures for £5 in lieu of £so' may be issued by councils in repayment of loans; that councils shall have more power in regard to hoardings, and greater powers of control in respect of entertainments held in inflammable structures. Another important matter the Government will decide in the hill will be to provide for the annual purification of electoral rolls, and to dispense with the statutory declaration from oral tenants under section. 55. The councils are also to have increased powers to rate in respect to water supplies constructed unedr the Local Governor mt -4ct. Under the amended Act persons about to build will not only have to submit plans to the local council for approval, but will have to deposit a copy of the plans with the council for future reference. Returning officers will be invested with authority to fix the date for holding the elections to fill extraordinary vacancies, and in addition tne following important amendments of the Act will be embodied in the amending bill:— To permit the loan rate in respect of money borrowed for. reproductive works to be reduced or dispensed with in those cases where the returns from tihe undertakings are sufficient to justify such a course being taken, but not so as to permit council to borrow without a poll of ratepayers. To limit the time in which noxious weeds must be extirpated, and to provide for the notice being continuous notice. To empower councils to construct light lines of railways and tramways. To provide for the handing over to councils of fees under the Dog and Goat Act. (In veiw of the opposition of the State Treasurer the request to hand over hotels and other license fees cannot be granted-) To increase the rate of interest on arrears of rates to 10 per cent, and provide a minimum of 3d.

To empower councils to enter enclosed land for the removal of materials. To render the Commissioners for Railways liable to half cost of kerbing and guttering.. The Minister has also outlined a proposal in regard to the valuation of land. He suggests that a State bureau of valuation should be appointed for all purposes. The bureau would have brandies all over the country, with a competent staff of valuers. All the work of valuing and of appeals would be in the hands of this department, and when the local council desired to levy its rates it would obtain from the district valuation office a list of all properties, with their values. For this service the council would pay a small fee. The council would then levy its rates upon the value so furnished. This proposal means practically the adoption of the New Zealand Land Valuation Act in this State. It is understood a bill has been drafted. The committee deals with the modification of laws applying to local government. The. report refers to the want of sympathy existing between councils and the Board of Health- The committee is strongly of opinion that councils should be represented on the Board of Health. The ordinances relating to buildings have been found ineffective, and a committee lias been at work for some months! preparing a model set- of ordinances.