RIVER PROTECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 264, 7 November 1929, Page 22

RIVER PROTECTION.

AND LAND DRAINAGE. A CONSOLIDATING BILL. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. So that interested local bodies -may consider the provisions of the measure during the recess, and perhaps make helpful suggestions before next session, tlie Land Drainage and River Protection Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to-night. It is not proposed to pass the measure this session. Consolidation and revision of the existing law relating to land drainage and river protection is embodied in the bill. It lias been prepared with the object of bringing the law on these subjects up to date and more workable. In the first place it is intended to equip the boards with greater powers than they now have, and, in particular, boards may be formed which are both land drainage and river boards, thus exercising dual functions carried out at present, by separate bodies. Administrative provisions are greatly N altered, and are made more in keeping with those pertaining to county council?. Preparation annually of a ratepayers' roll has given' drainage boards much concern. It is intended to alter the system so that the roll may be prepared triennially only, so as to be available for the ordinary general election. The date for general . elections has been altered,.and all will be held on the third Wednesday in May triennially. provisions regarding the classification of lands for rating purposes have been completely revised, and are now in a form which will greatly assist boards. It is realised that .tlie existing provisions are in many instances quite unworkable. Tjhe Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. de la. Perrelle, said he hoped that those bodies interested would take advantage bf. fhe opportunity offered, and. he would be very glad ito receive suggestions aiming at improving the bill and tending to" make it easier for boards to carry out their operations.