THE SHIRES BILL.

Evening Star, Issue 2877, 9 May 1872, Page 2

THE SHIRES BILL.

( Continued,) Clauses 26, 27, 28, and 29 relate to the appointment, or removal of, and salaries of officers, all of whom are required to “oh* serve” sections 144 to 149 of the “Otago Roads Ordinance 1871.” which are to be r<>ad as part of this Bill. Clauses 30 and 31, require that all moneys shall be banked within thirty days (or any shorter time the council may fix) after they have come into the hands of the proper officers. Also that all cheques shall be signed by the President and counter-signed by the Treasurer of the council; and also that sections 150 to 155 of the Roads Ordinance shall apply to all accounts of the shire council in the same way as to the Roads Boards.

Clause 32 empowers shire councils to make bye-laws to regulate the conduct of their own officers, and to provide for the due management of their own proceedings. Clause 33 defines “ordinary revenue” to mem rates (not special), tolls, and rents of tolls; moneys. Clause 34 and 35 define rateable property for the purposes of the Bill, as “all lands, tenements, and hereditaments,” with the usual exceptions ; together with some others not usually included in such a list; such, for instance, as “buildings used as athenaeums, mechanics’ institutes,” &c ; and provides that all rates made under the provisions of the Bill shall be subject to appeal. Clause 36 to 45 (inclusive) provide the machinery of fixing the valuations of rateable property, and for making and levying the rates ; which are not to exceed Is, nor be lets than 3d in tbe pound.

Clause 46 places all main roads and pnhlio bridges, and all public ferries within the shire, under the control of the council thereof; and gives authority to “form, construct, repair, aud maintain ” the same. Clause 47 vests in the council of the shire all Government property in or upon the main roade of tbe shire, such as toil-houses, toil-gates, laps, &c. ; and also all “the scrapings ’ of the same. Clauses 48, 49, 50, and 51, empowers the council to open and construct new roads, and to increase the width, or alter, or divert the old ones. Also (under certain conditions) to

drain and otherwise deal with portions of the roads adjoining, and not being within the limits of any other shire or borough ; also, where such portions are within tue limits of any other shire, borough, &c , to treat with the governing body of the same tor their repairs, &c., either separately or conjointly, as may be agreed. Clause 52 and 53 relate to the construction of bridges and ferries over creeks or rivers fonuing the boundaties of shires fuicl provinces (as in the previous clause), for a treaty between the shire council on the one side and the governing body for the time being on the other, for their construction and maintenance. , , Clauses 56 to 58 inclusive provide that whenever a main road is formed up to the boundary of any one shire, and not continued on the other side of the same, the government may order mch continuing road to be made, either wholly at the cost of the shire adjoining or conjointly. Also prescribes the course of proc: dure necessary to be taken under such circumstances. (To be continued.)