ON THE ROAD BOARDS BILL.

5

F.—No. 1

Members of the Legislative Council as well as to the Members of the House of Representatives, and to say that the Committee will esteem it a matter of much value to possess these papers. I have, &c., To the Chairman of the Committee A. H. Eussell, of the House of Eepresentatives Chairman of the Committee of the Legislative upon Local Boards Bills. Council on Local Boards Bills. Mr. Vogel laid upon the Table a printed Paper, signed by himself, Mr. Eeid, and Mr. Bell, containing recommendations of provisions to be embodied in the Bill applicable to the Province of Otago. A discussion arose thereupon ; when Mr. Mervyn objected, and protested against the provisions proposed ; which were also objected to by Captain Kenny. With regard to their publication, it was resolved that they should not be circulated for the present; and in the meantime Members of the Committee were invited to prepare furtlier suggestions of provisions suitable to their respective Provinces. Mr. Bell, Mr. Curtis, and Mr. Vogel were appointed to consider the Bill before the next meeting of the Committee, with a view to suggesting such alterations and amendments as it maybe capable of, and to facilitating the final determination of the Committee with regard to its form and provisions.

Friday, 28th August, 1868. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Dillon Bell, Captain Kenny, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Mervyn, Mr. Carleton, Mr. Eeid. Mr. Curtis, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Fox, Mr. Vogel, Mr. Jollie in the Chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. On motion of Mr. Vogel, Resolved, That we go through the Act clause by clause, and decide what is to be done with each. On motion of Mr. Bell, Hesolved, That any questions as to whether any particular duty should be performed by the " Governor," or " Superintendent," or " County Chairman," be not discussed in this Committee, but be left for discussion in the House. With reference to the printed Paper presented to the Committee (on Tuesday, 18th August) on Eoad Boards Bill, Captain Kenny submitted the following memorandum : — As it is desirable that small road districts should be encouraged to amalgamate in order to come under the Act, and as one or more non-consenting districts might prevent the advantageous union of a large number of districts, power should be given to compel union, such power to be exercised by Superintendents. This should apply not only to compelling union of existing districts, to enable them to come under the Act, but also, with sufficient safeguards as to petitioning and investigation, should apply to districts constituted under the Act. "Districts should be, intrusted with the repair and maintenance (and, by agreement, with the construction) of main roads, the levying of rates, receive the fees from pounds and slaughter-houses, and the tolls on the main road within their limits; and, in short, bo intrusted with all those functions which can best be exercised under local supervision. Waste Lands Board to settle all disputes between Boad Boards, and appropriate certain funds as next described. In regard to endowment, 25 per cent, of entire territorial revenue, deducting surveys, &c., to be returned to the districts pro rota to their contributions. The remaining 75 per cent, should be set apart for the construction of main roads and largo public works, either by the Waste Lands Boards or (by agreement) by the District Boards. Towns and boroughs should not be included in road districts. Cotjrtenat Kenny. Various amendments were made in its clauses up to No. 2G, which the Chairman noted in his copy of the Bill; and The Committee then adjourned till Saturday, the 29th August, at 10 a.m. Satukday, 29th August, 18(58. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Pbesest : Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr. Jollie, Mr. Campbell, Captain Kenny, Mr. Carleton, Mr. Mervyn, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Fox, Mr. Vogel. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. On motion of Mr. Vogel, Resolved, That clause 16 be postponed in order to alter it to suit case* of Boards with sub-divisions. On motion of Mr. Vogel, Resolved, In clause 17, That members of Boards, Ac, remain in office ; that Proclamations constituting the districts state their names. On motion of Mr. Curtis, Resolved, That clause 21 be omitted. 2