COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15704, 25 August 1911, Page 5

COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 23. At the Counties Conference the following resolutions were passed:— "That it is desirable that all moneys available for Government grants to counties should be allotted to the most urgent works as set out in schedules supplied to the county councils.” “That the Government be requested to issue grants authorised to local authorities as early as possible after Parliament rises, in order that plans and specifications may bo prepared, and tho Public Works Department’s approval thereto bo obtained, so that the work may be done whilst labour is available, and that progress payments bo made to local authorities from time to time at the rate of 75 per cent of tho work actually done as certified to by the engineer of the local authority or a duly qualified engineer, and that the final payment he mad© upon the certificate of a Government officer that the work has been duly completed to his satisfaction.” “ That where grants are authorised for expenditure on roads opening up Crown and Native lands, which are exempt from rates, or lands which are non-ratable for a- period of years, the cost of supervision, surveying, engineering, etc., be allowed as charges against the grant.” “ That the Conference re-affirm the principle that subsidies should be on a graduated scale.” “That members of harbour boards should he elected by ’coal authorities.” “That the Government be urged to more vigorously expedite the opening up and individualising of all Native lands.” “ That where a county council has two banking accounts at the same bank, one of which is in credit, the other in debit, the bank should when calculating interest to bo charged on overdraft, deduct from tlie debit balance of one account the credit balance of the other, and charge interest on tho net debit balance, only.” “ That Crown and Native lauds (which are partitioned and surveyed, or land with title thereto registered) he subjected to the same regulations under the Noxious Weeds Act as private lands and lands belonging to local bodies.” “ That in cases where a loan has been raised over a special district for work other than roads or works which benefit that district only, the local authority should have power to impose. a separate rate for the purpose of maintenance of such work or works.” “That provision be made enabling local authorities to raise loans for the erection of rural telephone lines, and providing for the collection of a separate rate from subscribers to provide for interest and maintenance of such lines.” “That tho Government be asked to establish annuity tables, separate from sickness and other benefits, to permit employees of local bodies contributing for superannuation benefits.”