CIVIC ADMINISTRATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 4 January 1928, Page 5

CIVIC ADMINISTRATION.

COMMISSION TAKES OVER AT SYDNEY. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT SYDNEY, Jan. 3. 'The civic commission was sworn in to-day and took over the control of municipal affairs in Sydney. The Act under which it is appointed provides for the commission to exercise the powers and authority of the City Council and for the carrying out of ail the duties and obligations of the council.

The powers of the commission include the making, levying and collection of rates, tolls, charges and imposts, and the making of by-laws, repealing, vary, ing, or in substitution of any by-law made by the council or the commission. It is further provided that no sales of real estate shall be made by the commission without the approval of the Governor.

The Governor will appoint the three commissioners, one of whom will be the chief commissioner, who will perform the duties of a Lord Mayor. The commissioners, who will be paid out of the city fund at rates fixed by the 'Governor, will hold office until December 31, 11)29.

It is laid down that there shall not. be any election of aldermen or Lord Mayor on December next, or while the Act remains in force.

The Act provides that the Chief Commissioner shall convene a meeting of the commission once a month, at which the Chief Commissioner shall have a deliberate vote and, in the event of an equality of voting, a casting vote. The commissioners will be clothed with powers to investigate such matters relating to previous administrations as they may deem necessary, or as the Governor may direct to be investigated in order to ascertain to what extent the conduct of any person, whether the holder of a civic office or not, w,as corrupt, dishonest or improper. In this regard, with the approval of the Governor, the commissioners may delegate any duty in connection with an investigation to one commissioner, oi- to any fit person. Once a year the commissioners will furnish fuil and true reports of their proceedings, and accounts of all moneys raised and expended. These accounts and reports will be laid before both Houses of Parliament. The Act will remain in force until December 31, 192.9.