POLITICAL NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 36, 11 August 1905, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

MURITAI. In the House last night Mr. Wilford moved the second -reading of the Eastbourne Road District Bill, which proposed to constitute R*>no, Bay and Muritai into a separate road district, with power to borrow money for the purpose of constructing public works. Mr. Field opposed the Bill on behalf of the Hutt County Council, on the ground that if it were passed a number of other places in the Hutt County would apply for a similar concession. Furtne«, the passage of the Bill would dislocate the finances of the Hutt County Council, as the district would be taken cmt of the rating area, of tho Council, and the other ratepayers of the district would suffer from the conEßquent loss of revenue. The proper course for the district would have been to take advantage of the Town Districts Act. In the debate that ensued the point was made that the proposal showed up the necessity for a comprehensive system of local government. Against this Mr. Barber argued that the district wae entitled to demand separation from the jurisdiction of the Hutt County Council, and he thought the proposal was fair and reasonable. The Leader of the Opposition, however, pointed out that the Local Bills Committee had advised the House to carefully consider the Bill, os it proposed to confer powers of an exceptional charactei on the local' body to be set vp — powers of borrowing, for instance, and other powers only exercisablo by a boroug) 1 council, and he urged that those powers should not be conferred on a Road Board. In the course of his reply, Mr. Wilford said it was proposed to make the plao3 a model i seaside resort, and enthusiastic residents were prepared to pledge their property for that purpose. The area was valuable for rating purposes, but could not demand that its rates should be spent on the district. The power particularly re quired was to raise money to make a watering place of the district, and lie urged that there could be no objection to 6uch power being given where it was miposaible for a borough to. be formed. The second reading was carried by 26 votes to 21, and tho committal of the Bill was set down for Thursday next. PRIVATE STREETS. Tne Wellington City Streets Bill, which onables the City Council to take over a number of private streets, on which the Council at present cannot expend money in putting them into a proper condition of repair, was considered in Committee by the House of Representatives last night. A thin House allowed the Bill to pass that stage without amendment— a result greeted by the House with applause. Compared with the treatment of the Bill last year, when the measure was unfortunato enough to meet with latal opposition from the Premier, the ease with which it slipped through a very awkward stage can only bo regarded as marvellous. Tho third reading has been set down for Thursday next.