A.—loa.

1882. NEW ZEALAND.

LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES. (FURTHER REPLIES TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED TO LOCAL BODIES.)

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

{§§1° Counties 'are distinguished by italics; Road Boards within counties by being printed in inner margin.

1. Should County Chairmen be elected as Mayors are ?

3fon(/onui — Whangaroa North—Yes. Oruaiti—No. Mongonui—Yes. Bay of Islands —That they should be elected as Mayors are. Whangarei — Kauriliohori —No answer. Mangapai —This is a cumbrous piece of machinery. In this county (Whangarei) the Is. rate has been swallowed up by officials more than once. It must be very much simplified or done away wit h altogether. Maungakaramea—No. Ruatangata—No. Waipu North—No. Whangarei—No answer. Hobson —No ; present method of election satisfactory so far as this county is concerned. Rodney — Albertland North —No answer. Komokoriki —Yes. Matakana East—No. Wctitemata — Devonport—Abolish the counties altogether. Devonport (W. H. Fenton) —Yes ; so long as the counties exist. Pukeatua—No. Waitakerei East—Yes; by< the ratepayers. Eden —No, Manukau — Awhitu—No answer. Pokeno —County Councils should be done away with. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.) —No.

Wailcato — Cambridge—No. Waipa —No. Mangapiko—No ; unless where paid. Ngaruawahia Town—-No ; Bhould be elected by Council. I'ukekura—No. Haglan — Newcastle—No. Whakalane — Opotiki—'No. Tauranga —No TaranaTci — Waiwakaiho—Let it bo optional with the county. Oakura—The present mode of election for Boards is bad, and ought to be done in the old simple way. Mangarei (J. T, Upjohn) —No. Patea — Wairoa —-No answer. Manatoatu — Manchester—No. Bangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —No. Wairarapa East —No. Castlepoint—No. Wairarapa West — Masterton—No. Waimea —■ Suburban North —No. Amuri —No. Marlborough — Havelock —No. Kaikoura —No ; think present system best. Kaikoura —No. Seltoyn — Avon—No.

Malvern—No. Rakaia—No ; consider the present mode of election the most suitable for this provincial district. Spreydon—No. Springs—No. Tipper Waimakariri—No. Kllesmere —County Chairmen should be elected as they are at present. Afcaroa —No. Ashburton — South Rakaia—No ; present system to be adhered to. Longbeach—No. Upper Ashburton—No. Geraldine — Levels—No. Levels (Chairman) —No; Waimate —-No. Waitaki— Otepopo—The present system of electing County Chairmen is satisfacory. Vincent —Yes; and for a term of three years. Lake —No ; consider present system good. Peninsula — Portobello—County Chairmen should not be elected as Mayors are, as present system is preferable. Taieri— Seaside —Yes. Taieri—No ; the present system is preferable. Bruce — Kaitangata—No. Clutha— Clutha—The present system works very well.

2. Should counties be enabled to split up or amalgamate, or otherwise alter their boundaries, without the consent of Parliament, as is now required ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North —By majority of ratepayers only. Oruaiti —No. Mongonui—No answer.

Bay of Islands —To remain as at present, and any alteration desired to be referred to Parliament. Whangarei — Kuarihohori—No answer.

Mangapai—No answer. Maungakaramea—Yes. Ruatangata—No. Waipu North—Yes. Whangarei—No answer.