A.—lo,

14

auriferous land, County Councils should be created Boards of Advice to the Government and Waste Lands Boards; and that many of the administrative powers at present exercised by the latter might safely be confided to the County Councils. Peninsula —No answer. Peninsula —■ The County Councils should form Licensing Committees outside boroughs. Should have power to expend Council votes on other than county roads; to have control over ground game and the small-birds pest, and large powers generally for the framing and passing of by-laws on local subjects. Ttlieri— The County Councils should form Licensing Committees outside of boroughs ; have pow rer to expend Council votes on other than county roads; to have control over ground game, and the small-bird pest; and large powers generally for the framing and passing of by-laws on local subjects. Waipori—County Councils should be Licensing Committees outside boroughs ; should have power to make by-laws to meet the cases of bush teamsters and wagoners, as at present Councils and Eoad Boards have no power to tax those parties for the maintenance of roads ; and also be empowered to increase the tax on all dogs other than collies. Bruce —County Councils to form Licensing Committees outside boroughs ; also, to have powers to expend Council votes

Question 5— continued.

on other than county roads; also, to have control over ground game and small-bird pest, and large powers on making by-laws on local subjects. Crichton—No. Glenledi — The County Councillors should be Licensing Committes outside of boroughs; have power to expend Council votes on other than county roads, as also to compel the Road Boards, where necessary, to continue, deviate, or make new roads where the exigencies of the district requires them. Matau —No answer. Mount Stuart — County Councils should form Licensing Committees outside boundaries. Tokomairiro —County Councils should have large powers for passing bylaws on local subjects, but such bylaws should be inoperative till the Governor's assent has been given thereto. Cluiha —The counties should have power 1o frame by-laws, and carry out elections under Licensing Act, and also to caiTy out the Rabbit Act. Pomahaka — The County Councils should form Licensing Committees outside boroughs ; have power to expend Council votes on other than county roads; to have control over the small-bird pest ; and large powers generally for the framing and passing of by-laws on local subjects. Molyneux South — Counties should have the power to administer the

Rabbit and Licensing Acts, smd to make by-laws to enforce same. Tua/peka —(l) To give counties power to regulate weight of loading to be carried on county roa is ; (2) That County Councils form Waste Lands Boards for respective counties failing members of Waste Lands Boards as at present constituted being elected by the people ; (3) That absolute separation be made between colonial and local finance ; (4) That property-lax be considered and treated as local revenue ; (5) That local bodies receive full powers (a) to make by-laws, (b) to deal with reserves, (c) Crown lands till required for settlement. (6) That County Councillors be ex-officio members of and forai Licensing Committees. (7) That mining revenue be paid to counties direct. Clydevale—County Councils to act as Licensing Boards and such similar duties. Southland —That the powers of the Licensing Committees be vested in the County Councils; that the powers under the Protection of Game Act be vested in the County Councils ; that the appointment of Cemetery Trustees be vested in the County Councils. Knapdale—To appoint Trustees of cemeteries. Toitois—No. Tuturau — Should be invested with power of Licensing Committee, working Rabbit Act, power to deal with small-bird nuisance, power to borrow up to the extent of two years' reveuue.

6. Should tlie counties be enabled to create new road districts or alter existing ones of their own motion, or only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers ?

Mangonui —Yes ; on the petition of resident ratepayers. Kaeo — Yes. Counties should have power upon majority of resident ratepayers. Oruru—Yes ; the counties should have the power with the majority of resident ratepayers. Totara —Yes ; on the petition of a majority of resident ratepayers. JloJcianga —No answer. Whangarei —Only on a petition of the ratepayers. Maunu—Only on petition of ratepayers, whether a majority or a minority, the latter have rights that are not always respected. Parua —We should bo sorry to see counties have this power, and would prefer the Governor to create or alter new road districts on petition of majority of ratepayers. Waikiekie —Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Waipu Middle—No. Waipu South —Only on the petition of a majority of ratepayers. Bobson —No answer. Okahu—Only on the petition of the ratepayers. Paparoa—On request from ratepayers. Wairau —Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Wairau (by ex-Chairman) — The power to create new road districts and alt er existing boundaries should undoubtedly be vested in the resident ratepayers, the parties most interested and best able to judge, and form a correct opinion, and, as being those taxed, best entitled to take the initiative in all these proceedings. Whakahara School Committee —See , answer to Question 16.

Rodney —Only on petition of majority of ratepayers. Albertland South—No answer. Arai—The latter is certainly the only fair mode. Great inconvenience might result if the first named plan was adopted. Upper Mahurangi—Only on a petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Mangawai—On receipt of petition of majority of ratepayers occupying an area of not less than thirty thousand acres in an outlying district, counties should create such a road district. Counties should not alter boundaries of road district unless on petition of majority of ratepayers. Omaha—On majority of ratepayers. Matakana West—Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Puhoi —Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Tauhoa —The interference of counties is entirely repudiated. Ratepayers should haye the entire power of petitioning the Colonial Secretary for the creation and alteration of Road Board districts. Wharehino—No answer. Wainui—lt would be as well to place a check upon the proceedings of County Councils to prevent injustice and confusion, and therefore it would be safer to leave such powers with the Government or with the Governor. Waitetnala —No answer. Kaukapakapa—Only on a petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Lake —Counties should have power to create new districts or alter existing ones on their own motion. North Shore —Only on thepetilion or

consent of a majority of the ratepayers. Waitakerei West—Only on petition of a majority of the ratepayers in each district any alterations would effect. Waitakerei West (J. Cottle)—Only on petition of the majority of each particular district. Waitakerei West (H. Hunter)— Only on petition of a majority of the ratepayers of each particular district. Whangaparoa—Only on a petition of the majority of the ratepayers. Eden —No answer. Epsom—See answer to No. 16. Mount Roskill —Only on petition of majority of ratepayers. Mount Wellington — Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Newton—Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Panrnure —Only on the majority of ratepayers. Ponsonby—lt 19 desirable that such powers should be left in the hands of the people, and be exercised by inexpensive petition, and not by expensive polling. Waikomiti —The county should have no power to alter or create road districts ; it should be loft in the hands of the ratepayers, and be exercised by them by petition. Manufcau —No answer. Mercer. —Alterations such as suggested I would prefer, allowing the ratepayers to determine. Hunua—Only on petition of majority of ratepayers. Karaka— -So. Only by a majority of ratepayers. Maraetai —On the petition of majority of ratepayers.