COUNTIES' ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 40, 15 August 1895, Page 4

COUNTIES' ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE .

The following business was transacted after we went to press yesterday : — A motion by Mr. Harding (for Mr. Pow. drell)— " That the Wairoa County Council protests againßt its County being merged into the Cook or adjoining Counties" — lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr. Jaoob (Kiwitea) moved— "That Beotion 2XI of ■ The Counties Aot, 1886,' re overdraft, be/ amended by the omission of the words 'or any moneys received for special rates,' and that the Government be asked to give effeot to this in the Looal Government Bill." Mr. Kebbell (.Horowhenua) seconded and it was carried. It was proposed by Mr. Harding (Hobson) seconded by Mr. Mason (Whangarei), "That this Conference it of opinion that the game licenses should be made county revenue " The motion was lost. The Conference rejected the following motion by Mr. Kebbell (Horowhenna), am seconded by Mr. Colemnn Phillips pro forma :—" That special ratos to repay loans for works under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Aot may be taken on an aoreage rate after the lands have been classed according to the benefit derived from the work or works for which the loan is proposed to be raised." Mr. Diekin (Pohangina) proposed, Mr. Logan (Maniototo) seconded, and it was carried, " That sub-section 3 of seotion 2 of the Bating Aot, 1894, be amended so as to make oconpiers of small grazing runs of the Crown pay the same rotes as the ordinary leaseholder." Tt was proposed by Mr. Hislop (Hawora) and seconded by Mr. Kebbell (Horowhenua), " That power be given to looal bodies to compel the felling of any natural bnsh stnnding within two chains of a, pub.io road." The motion was lost. Mr. Hislop (Hawera) proposed—" That tho Government Loans to Looal Bodies Aot be so amended as to give to local bodies power to raise loans for tho re-metalling of worn-out roads " This was seconded by Mr Uoukhouae (itratford) and carried. On the motion ot Mr. Kebbell (Horowhenna), seconded by Mr. Monkhouse (Stratford), it was deoided " That the majority required in Loans to Local Bodies Aot to carry a loan proposal be a majority of votes exercisable or two-thirds of those cast " Mr. Menkhonse (Stratford), proposed— " That where special rating area defined for loanpnrposcs under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Aot, or part of suoh area, is subsequently inolnded within the bonndaries of a new connty, the new county Bhall have power to levy and collect the original apeoial rate made as security for any loan, and pay amount so collected to original body, or direot to the Treasury, towards payment of suoh loan. And that power be granted to make new rate roll from original roll of area inoluded in new county as evidence of new looal authority's power to levy andcolleot the rate. Also_ power where the whole of original area is in new oounty, to new county to take over all resposibility for original loan." Seconded by Mr. Hislop (Hawera) and oarried. It was also proposed by Mr. Monkhonse (Stratford), seconded by Captain M'Mahon and carried—*' •} hat this Conference protests against legislation that will enable nonratepayers to vote on matters affecting local government." The Conference passed the following motion by Mr. Grimmond (Westland), ?. e S?i. n i e A. b ?. ¥*• Mp adden (Buller):Thatthis Conference regrets the delay in bringing down the Local Government Bill which has prevented this representative gathering discussing the propos«d measure and strongly urges the circulation of the Bill among local bodies before being passed into law, and that members of the House present at the Conference, with the President of the Association, be a sub-committee to watoh the interests of the New Zealand Counties in connection with the proposed change." Mr. Monkhonse (Stratford) proposed — " That the powers granted to certain oounties nnder the Counties Vehicles Aot, 1893, be extended to all counties." This was seconded by Mr. Hislop and carried. It was also deaided, on Mr. Grimmond's motion, seconded by Mr. Mason (Whangarei) — " 'I hut the regulations of the Association be amended so that no delegate shall be entitled to more than one vote." Tho Conference then adjourned till next day.