THE COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12556, 18 July 1901, Page 3

THE COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

[Pee Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 17. At tlie-Countaes Conference this morning, after much debate on the proposal to abolish Road Boards, on amendment by Mr Laug was adopted m favour of enabling the ratepayers of a comity to decide by a poll which form of local government they will adopt. On the franchise question it was resolved to revert to the qualification under the Counties Act, 1866. It was resolved in case of an objection that the person whose qualification is challenged shall be supplied with a copy of the objection, and informed when an inquiry is to , be held. A county chairman's emolument was fixed at £IOO instead of £4OO in the Bill. It was suggested! that the clause • referring to a minimum number of councillors should be excised and the number left at fifteen. The Conference affirmed the principle of triennial instead of biennial elections. It was resolved that the Conference' ' would prefer that if town districts should be abolished as self-governing bodies, • counties' should have power on petition to define'a township district, aad have power" to delegate the management of such dis- ' trict to a committee of five elected by the ratepayers. On reaching that part of the Bill relating to finance, it was resolved to recommend the inclusion of a new clause that one-half the proceeds of the sale of standing timber on Grown lands should be paid to the Countv Council where such Crown land is situated. A resolution was passed urging on the Government the desirability of ! making further subsidies to local bodies.