COUNTY COUNCILS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 September 1927, Page 9

COUNTY COUNCILS.

INCREASED POWERS PROVIDED IN BILL.

(by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 2.2. The Hon. Sir Maui Pomaire moved the -second reading of the Counties Amendment 33111 in the House of .Representatives to-night. He explained that the Bill had been asked for by trie county councils and the measure had been drafted to meet the .present day requirements. County Councils are authorised to make by-laws to prevent danger from fire and to marie owners of buildings provide fire escapes where -such are deemed necessary. They may regulate or license the keeping: in counties of animate, reptiles and birds, or prohibit their retention where, in the opinion of the council concerned, they are likely to become a nuisance. Provisions regarding the regulation of hoardings are contained in.the Bill, but it i,s laid down that any restrictive provisions are not to apply to existing hoardings or advertisements for a period of not less than five vear-s from the date of making the by-laws. The counties also have authority to acquire land and buildings for recreatioanl purposes and to improve them. Another clause seeks to give permj-s----sion to councils to contribute towards the cost of construction of wharves, whether thev are within the boundaries of the county of not, but which, in trie opinion of the council, concerned, are likely to be of benefit to the inhabitants of the county. The existing authority under which comity councils may dissolve road boards and merge road districts in a county, is to be-' -slightly lessened by limiting authority to road districts, the capital value of which is less than half of the total capita, l value of the county. At present road districts can be merged if their ca-oital value is not less than two-thirds of the total county valuation. . .. It is proposed to extend the eligibility of councils to do- county work by allowing them to undertake contracts which do not exceed £lO, in the case of any single contract, or £25 in the ca-se of two or more contracts, in any financial year. Under the existing Act the limits- are £5 and £lO respectively. An additional clause -seeks to make it lawful for councils to pay members for work done -prior to the date of their election to the council. The Bill wa-s -read a -seoond tirrn?.