COUNTY CONTROL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 46, 23 August 1911, Page 2

COUNTY CONTROL.

CONFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

QUESTION OF ELECTIONS. Several questions in connection with elections and the franchise of counties were considered by the the Counties' Conference to-day. Mr. A. E. Jull (Waipawa) presided. After dealing with matters connected with the franchise, the conference passed the following remit standing in the name of the Westland County Council ! That the Government be Urgently requested to amend the procedure for the compilation of county rolls, so j that the name, occupation, address, ahd qualifications of every elector shall be fully set forth, and by such information prevent fraud and misrepresentation. On the motion of the Paparua Connty Council it was further resolved— That the method of compiling the county electors' roll be altered so as to do away with 4 the necessity of going before a magistrate. DATE OF ELECTIONS. Mr. J. Dawson (Eketahuna) moved— That county elections and annual meetings be held in April instead of November. ' The mover pointed out that at present the date of the elections interfered with the works going on in the summer sea-son. Opponents suggested that in backblock districts the roads would be better in November, and enable voters to poU. The proposal was lost. COUNCILLORS' EXPENSES. Mr. R. K. Simpson (Rangitikei) moved to amend the Counties Act sc^ as to allow travelling expenses of County Councillors being paid whenever travelling on the council's business. This was carried. A further remit standing in the name of the Pohangina County Council, to amend the Act lo allow County Councils to pay the chairman an honorarium in lieu of travelling expenses, as at present, was adopted. GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES. The committee appointed by the conference to consider the question of Government grants to local bodies for roade and bridges reported to-day k> the conference with the following recommendations' :-«- 1. Th*t it is desirable that all moneys ayailaUTe for Government grants to counties should be allotted to the most urgent works as set out 'in the schedules supplied by the county councils] 2. That the Government be requested to issue grant authorities to local authorities as early as possible after Parliament rises in order that plans and specifications may be prepared, and the Public Works Department's approval thereto , be obtained, so that the work may be j done whilst labour is available, and i that progress payments be made to the i local authority from time to time at the. | rate of ?5 per cent, of the work actually done, as certified to by the engineer of the local authority, ot a duly qualified engineer, and that the final payment be made upon the certificate of the Government officer that the work hag been duly completed to his satisfaction; 3. That where grants are authorised for expenditure on roads opening, up Crown and Native lands which are exempt from rates, or lands, which are nonrateable far ( a period of years, the cost of supervision*, surveying, engineering,,, etc., be "allowed 'as- charges against the grant. ■• The recommendations ' were adopted after brief discussion. The committee formed to report on th« question of sub&idy on rates recommended.—"That there be p3id to all county councils 'a uniform subsidy of five shillings in the pound on all general rates collected up to the prescribed maximum as defined in section 117 of The Counties Act, 1908. (Proceeding, )