THE COMING SESSION.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 293, 20 May 1871, Page 7

THE COMING SESSION.

(From the Picton Press.) The Provincial Council is to meet on Wednesday next, at Blenheim, From what has come to our knowledge, there is not much to be brought before it that will necessitate a lengthened sitting. In addition to the Estimates for the ensuing year, and the Scab Bill, mentioned in our last issue, there are, we believe, some other bills, amongst them being a Superintendent’s Lands Alienation Bill, Hoads Act Amendment Bill, and a bill for the exchange of land for trespass of roads. Of the projected measures, the most important is perhaps the Scab Bill referred to, and which will probably take up the Greater part of the session. It is unnecessary to further particularise the bill, as we believe the Government has provided those immediately interested with copies. The Roads Act Amendment Bill contains nine clauses, of which the following is an abstract :

Clause 2 provides for meetings of ratepayers to be held in every district in the month of October in each year for the election of members of the Board, in the room of the retiring members. 3. Provides for the appointment of a Chairman for each Board.

4. Persons aggrieved on the ground of unfairness or incorrectness in the valuation of rateable property may appeal, within one month after notice has been given that the valuation may be inspected, to the Resident Magistrate’s Court or Court of Petty Sessions, by giving to such Court seven days’ notice of intention to appeal; and such Resident Magistrate or Justices shall order such costs to be paid by either party as to the Court shall seem reasonable.

5. Each Board to levy an annual rate of not less than two pence nor more than one shilling in the pound on the nett annual value.

6. That all cart bridges now existing, having a span of and upwards, shall be a charge upon thi province. 7. Provides for the appointment of auditors.

8. Repeals clauses 17, 32, and 33 of the “Roads Act, 1870,” and scliedules C and D thereto.

9. Corrects error in Schedule B of “ Roads Act, 1870,” giving the Flaxbourne District of the County of Awatere two members.

The Superintendent’s Lands Alienation Bill provides that “It shall be lawful for the Superintendent to sell or exchange the lands specified in the schedule hereto (schedule left blank) by private contract, for such prices and upon such terms and conditions in any respect as the Superintendent and his Executive Council shall think necessary.” The bill for the exchange of land we are informed refers only to land on the line of road between Picton and the Ferry and between Blenheim and Ben wick.