THE MARLBOROUGH RIVERS ACT.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 140, 17 October 1868, Page 3

THE MARLBOROUGH RIVERS ACT.

We have elsewhere given a brief abstract of this measure, from which so much is expected, and we here purpose making a few remarks thereon. The way the Act is brought into operation is simple, but defective, since no provision is made for a counter petition. Upon the requisition of 50 persons, the Superintendent is bound to proclaim the Act in force. Not that this defect will be likely to bo required here, for everyone is agreed that an Act is necessary. The lirst election taking place within thirty days after the proclamation, no time will be lost before the machinery will be got to work. The powers given to the Board for carrying on any required works are ample ; but the rating powers are scarcely in accordance with the petition sent to Parliament. The classification appears to be fair ; A’s land being liable to great damage pays, say 2s. per acre ; B’s being liable to less damage, pays Is. ; while (J., sustaining no actual loss, has only lid. to pay. The plurality of votes is not carried out fairly, for instance : A being rated for lot) acres of land liable to great damage, at 2s. per acre, would have to pay £ls ; (J, with a like number of acres, has only £.j 15s. to pay, yet each has a like number of votes.

The amounts of rates in towns, being not exceeding Is. in the pound on the annual value, is the same as the Municipal Corporations Act ; hut no provision is made for a classification of lands, so that it will be immaterial whether land is subject to great damage or none at all, but this could not well be remedied.

The rating powers are nearly double the amount requested in the petition ; but if proper persons are elected to carry out the Act, they will be careful not to levy more rates than are actually necessary. One great defect is that the relative proportions of the rate to be paid by persons residing in towns, and those in the country are not mentioned in the Act, although no doubt it was the intention of its framers that if Is. is levied on the country lands (Chat being one-third of the maximum) only fourpence in the pound should be levied in the towns ; but the Act does not say so, and this might lead to litigation, and of that we have had more than enough. As to the power given to the Superintendent of nominating one-third of the Board, we entirely object to it, as we prefer to spend our own money without interference. Had the Provincial Government any funds wherewith to supplement the rates, the matter would be different.

However, should it be found in practice, that this Act is ever so far from perfection, there is nothing to prevent our attempting to get it remedied next session, and in the meantime advantage should be taken of the earliest opportunity to get it brought into operation, as a few hundred pounds judiciously expended within the next three months may save thousands hereafter.