MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 9437, 5 July 1894, Page 4

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

At yesterday afternoon's sitting, motions, moved by Mr Fish on behalf of Timaru, to give power to borough councils to borrow for the purpose of establishing village settle ments; that the Government should issue insurance policies against accidents to employes at a low premium ; and that the time for the recovery of rates should be extended to five years, were lost. It was decided to request the Government to reimburse local bodies for the amount of money expended by them in conducting the licensing elections. Cr Carson (Wanganui) moved, the Mayor of Dunedin seconded, and it was carried—- " (1) That this Conference desire to place on record their opinion that, exeept as already agreed to, the extension of the municipal franchise as provided by the Rating Act Amendment Act of 1893 is sufficient for all purposes save that a three months'tenancy should entitle a householder to be placed on the burgess list without the consent of the owner being obtained, provided that proof of such- tenancy be given, and that fco go further in this direction would be impolitic and unwise ; that it would open the door to roll-stuffing, personation, and other evils, and tend to destroy the very slight protection to property which still exists." The proposal that the election of councillors be altered from September to March and for mayor from November to March lapsed. The North-east Valley Council's proposal, exempting local bodies from court fees on suing for rates, such fees, however, to be recoverable from defendants where the council succeeds, was carded unanimously. . A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to. Mr Martin for his services as secretary, and £l2 12s was voted to him for legal opinions to seven different councils. The President moved—"That in consequence of the difficulty attendant on getting a meeting of the Executive, Mr Martin be given authority to give opinions to various corporations, the fees to be fixed by. scale by the Executive and charged to the corporations."—Carried. "

Mr Trask's motion congratulating the Government on their action re the Bank of New Zealand, etc., was then brought up, and seconded by Mr Gapes (Mayor of Chriatchurch). Mr r G.ray (Christchurch) moved as an amendment—'* That the Bank of New Zealand be congratulated on the prompt action of the Government in saving it from destruction."—Mr Feist (Masterton) seconded the amendment.—Mr Fish deprecated passing either motion or amendment, and declared there was a political coloring about the motion. He moved a further amendment —" That this Association having been formed for the purpose of guarding municipal rights and for the protection of the interests of ratepayers in various parts of the colony generally, it is inexpedient to pass or discuss a motion having a political character."—Mr Gray's amendment was" withdrawn in-favorof Mr Fish's.—The President •thought the motion out of place, and that by

paßßUJgsuoh:wJ;liaut-aJuiowJßdgo,of,-the foots which led up to the on the matter the dlctiim of the Govwntteht of motion was lost* aa<| JMr carried. ■' ':-""'..;■*"• .-.'.■' , . ■■■-• : ■;/■'.:.. -The .election of ioffioerg restated ill ■/ the Mayors of Auckland, ChristODu|oh,V:l)iihedin, and NeUoui .being aptibigted; vicepresidents;; the M>yori Petone,. Napier *. Lower tfiid Messrs Fish, Bayliss, and Harris as : a committee; treasurer, Mr Martin; auditor, - : Mr Harcourt. . 1 I'he Conference then closed.