ROAD BOARDS DISAPPEAR

Evening Star, Issue 18058, 28 August 1922, Page 5

ROAD BOARDS DISAPPEAR

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENTS. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, August 28. Ono of many functions of th-o Internal Affairs Department is a close association with local bodies; therefore the department’s annual report discusses many interesting phases of their work, and tho general development of local administration during the past year. Tho disappearance of road boards is noted. No fewer than thirty-three were merged into larger areas last year, leaving only forty-nine in existence, compared with eighty-two at the close of 1921. Ono of tho objections to road hoards was that they needlessly duplicated administrative expenses by operating over small areas. “Nevertheless,” comments the department, “it is impossible to 6ay too much of the valuable work performed by road boards during the early stages of development in the country districts.” It is mentioned that tho Town Boards Act was not dealt with last session, bub it is recognised that it must bo amended at the earliest possible moment, as it is now very obsolete. Tho finances of 'town boards were dealt with in a clause of last cession’s Finance Act. increasing their rating powers so as to bring them into lino with,, borough councils; but, apart from this, it is the opinion of tho department that the whole Act dealing with this class of local authority should be remodelled at the earliest possible moment. RIVER BOARDS. According to the report, there is urgent need for a comprehensive measure dealing with tho powers of river boards, so ns to define their exact position, both in relation to land drainage and the necessity for having complete control of tho whole of a river, either from a gorge or the source to its mouth. Much concern has been occasioned to the department through difficulties arising by reason of a drainage board and n. river board controlling the same area. This position exists in several parts of tho dominion, but particularly in the Waikato and Manawatu districts. The ultimate solution, says tho department, appears to bo a comprehensive scheme embracing both river conservation and land drainage under one board, and reports have been obtained recommending such a course in certain districts. “ Tho object lias, however, been defeated in tho past, and is still being defeated by tho formation of small boards, brought about by the fact that settlers whoso lands are low-lying and require drainage cannot wait for a larger scheme, and form themselves into a small drainage board for the purpose of providing temporary relief. While this is necessary, it often conflicts with tho larger schemes being carried out, or proposed to be carried out by river and other boards. There can be no question that tho position will have to be dealt with comprehensively throughout tho dominion.