DEFAULTING HARBOUR BOARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9104, 12 July 1888, Page 5

DEFAULTING HARBOUR BOARDS.

INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT. [by telegraph.— special correspondent.]

Wellington, Wednesday. In reply to Sir John Hall, who asked -what steps the Government intend to take with reference to the arrears of interest due on the securities of local bodies now held by the Government for trust funds and other purposes, the Premier said that there were three cases, the Oamaru, the Waitara, and the Thames Harbour Boards. He explained the circumstances in regard to Oamaru, which could nob be regarded as a case of default. With regard to the Thames he had received a telegram from the member for the district (Colonel Fraser), but the correspondence referred to had not come to hand. It was the intention of the Government to take steps to compel all local bodies to fulfil their engagements, and the House would be asked to approve of measures for that purpose. Sir John Hall said the matter was of great importance. He saw by a press telegram that one local body resolved it would not pay the interest. If this sort of thing went on, it was calculated to injure the credit of the colony at home. The Premier's statement as to the intention to enforce observance of obligations by local bodies was received with manifestations of satisfaction.