¥.— No. 1

6

PROCEEDINGS OF SELECT COMMITTEE

On motion of Mr. Curtis, Resolved, That clause 22 be struck out. On motion of Mr. Curtis, Resolved, That all the words in clause 23, line 31, after " then," bo struck out, and insert, " The question shall be decided by the Board itself." On motion of Mr. Vogel, Besolved, In clause 24, That if there shall be any excess of members, the Superintendent shall declare the order and date of their retirement. On motion of Mr. Curtis, Resolved, In clause 25, That vacancies by death or resignation bo filled by Board ; that such appointment hold good till after next yearly election. On motion of Captain Kenny, Resolved, That all the words in clause 2G after the words " such member" be omitted. On motion of Mr. Curtis, Resolved, In clause 27, That the questions of mode of rating and number of votes be left for the consideration of the House. The Committee then adjourned till Monday, the 31st day of August, at 10.30 a.m. Monday, 31st August, 1868. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Pbesekt : 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 previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman informed the Committee that he had had an interview with the Attorney-Greneral, who expressed his willingness to attend the Committee and explain any points as to the construction of the Bill. On motion of Mr. Curtis', Resolved, That the Attorney-General be requested to attend the Committee. The Attorney-Greneral attended the Committee and explained certain clauses of the Bill, in accordance with the resolution of Mr. Curtis. On motion of Captain Kenny, Resolved, That the Chairman be authorized to engage the services of Mr. Allen and his attendance before this Committee during its discussions on the Bill, with a view to reducing their resolutions into the necessary legal phraseology as quickly and efficiently as possible. Mr. Curtis moved, and the question was proposed, That clauses from 30 to 44 be struck out, with the exception of clauses 41 and 42, and that a clause be inserted providing that a ratepaj'ers' roll shall be prepared, which, when revised by Chairman and Secretary to Board, after expiration of time for appeal against rates, shall be the voters' roll. The Committee divided thereupon, and the names were taken down as follows : — Ayes, 1. Noes, 5. Mr. Curtis. Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Eeid, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Vogel. So it passed in the negative. Mr. Eeid moved, and the question was proposed, That clauses 30 to 44 inclusive be retained and amended to the effect that the roll shall be revised by Chairman of the Board and a Justice, or by two or more Justices, and that the meeting for revision of roll shall be held at the usual offices of the Board within the district. The Committee divided thereupon, and the names were taken down as follows : — Ayes, 1. JSFoes, 5. Mr. Eeid. Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr. Campbell, Captain Kenny, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Vogel. So it passed in the negative. On motion of Mr. Dillon Bell, Resolved, That the Clerk retire while the Committee deliberate. The Clerk then retired. Mr. Bell moved, and the question was proposed, That Mr. Curtis's plan of simplifying the Bill having been rejected, it is necessary to reconstruct it in some other way, and that it be divided into two parts or Bills on the principle stated on page 2 of Mr. Bell's minute; and that accordingly those clauses which relate to duties, &c, of Eoad Boards be first taken, and the clauses relating to regulations postponed. Mr. Campbell moved, That the words " or Bills " in Mr. Bell's motion be omitted. Mr. Campbell's amendment was passed in the affirmative. Mr. Bell's motion (subject to Mr. Campbell's amendment) was passed in the affirmative. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Stafford, Resolved, That with a view of giving effect to the above resolution, the Attorney-General be requested to arrange, in two separate parts, the clauses of the Bill as at present drawn. The clauses already dealt with by the Committee to be submitted to the AttorneyGeneral. Part 1., as indicated in Mr. Bell's memorandum, to be first arranged. The Committee then adjourned until "Wednesday, the 2nd day of September, at 10.30 a.m.