County Council Conference.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 159, 17 July 1901, Page 3

County Council Conference.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, last night. The County Councils Conference opened to-day, and immediately proceeded to discuss the Counties Bill. There was considerable debate on the proposed constitu-

tion of the districts, and in this connection Caluse 2 was struck out, as well as the clause providing that every new county shall be divided into nine ridings. A proposal that fifteen ridings be inserted was agreed to. A number of delegates urged that in the constitution of new ridings the rateable value as well as tho pcpulation should be taken into account, and with a view of making provision to this effect Clause 7 was struck out, and a new clause to replace the one deleted will therefore be drafted by the revising committee. The Conference resolved to recommend the reduction of area comprising the town and districts. A resolution was moved iu the direction of abolishing road' districts, m order to save the expense of dual administration. Sir Geo. Clifford and sevoral delegates expressed the hope that the provisions of the Bill with regard to road districts would not be interfered with. Others thought that where county councils and road boards over-lapped each other something should bo done. The question was still under discussion when the Conference adjourned.