LOCAL BODIES CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 137, 10 June 1909, Page 6

LOCAL BODIES CONFERENCE.

The fourth conference of local bodies' representatives was held in the Newmarket Borough Offices last evenilig, Mr. W. it Bloomfield being voted to tile Ohalr. There was a largfe attendance of delegates.

Danger of Fife from Electric Wife's.— The Uhder-Secretavy of Public Works wrote acknowledging the receipt of a letter covering & communication from the Auckland Fife Underwriters' Association calling 'attention to the danger of 'fire •in consequence of the feeder and other tramway -wires coming into contact with the telegraph and telephone wires. The reply was to the effect that a report on the matter had been called for from the Superintendent of Eteetric limes, under ivhose supervision the electrical equipment of ull the tramways in the Dominion had been retailed. On receipt thereof the matter would 'receive careiu) consideration.—The letter was received.

Harbour Boatd Bill.—A cotamittee was appointed to consider the new Harbour Board Bill.

Wheel Tax.—Mr. E. Davis introduced the question of : ihe 'beet method of enforcing the payment of -wheel tax from carters who endeavoured to evade its payment. The question was one -which deeply affected Newmarket, he said, and its satisfactory solution would be welcomed by his Council, who felt severely the passage over tire borough rcfads of heavy traffic without any adequate revenue from' Such traffic. Mr.'Dempsey maintained that a rate of id on the annual value throughout the city and surrounding districts would best meet the heavy traffic difficulty. A commission should be set up to decide what each local body was entitled to take. Ratepayers at present, he contended, were paying far too much in keeping up a cumbersome system. Mr. Rowe dissented from Mr. Dempsey, insomuch that the big contractor with little rateable property might get off scot free, -while the man with property but no vehicles would have to pay for him. Mr. Bloomfield suggested some system similar to the licensing of hansom cabs. —The matter was referred to the consideration of a committee.

Jury Exemption.—Mr. Dempsey moved that the Justice Department be 'approached urging that clerks of local bodies be allowed "exemption , from on juries. Mr. Johns sefronded, And the motion was carried.