RIGHTS OF LOCAL BODIES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 121, 20 November 1908, Page 7

RIGHTS OF LOCAL BODIES.

ENCROACHMENT RESENTED. [By TEiEGßArn.— Special to The Post.] AUCKLAND, This Day. Some strong remarks in regard to the position taken, up by, the Government in its dealings with local bodies /were made at a meeting of tho City Council this evening. The matter was brought up by the> reading of a lotter from the Petone Borough Council drawing attention to the fact that it was being deprived of a portion of its revenue through the resumption of a portion of the Jand> in the borough for tho purpose of the erection of workers' dwellings, it having lost through this cause no less than £705 in two years. The .Alayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) said that the matter was a very serious one, and that the action of the Government was another attempt to encroach, upon the rights of local bodies which should be resented. Mr. A. J. Entrican said that the same reason for complaint existed in regard to buildings erected by the Government, and let as offices. He argued that rates should be payable on such buildings, and also that the, Govermrent should irake a contribution towards the cost of the maintenance of the sewers which it used. He understood that such a contribution was already paid by tha Government in Duuedin. Mr. L. J. Bagnsll cnaracterised tho action of the Government as "grossly unfair," and said he was surprised that the Government was not above taking advantage of local bodiefc and private ratepayers in such matters. It was decided to support any effort mad© to secure an alteration in the law as suggested by the Petone Council.