CONTROL OF ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18016, 15 February 1922, Page 7

CONTROL OF ROTORUA.

LOCAL BODY PROPOSED.

USUAL MUNICIPAL POWERS. [BI TKLKQBAPH.—OWN CORRES'POir.DEre.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

I Ou the last day of the session the IRotoriia Control Bill was introduced by Vice-Regal Message, the Prime Minister explaining that it was not intended to proceed with the measure, but only to circulate it for members' information. The Bill gives promise of much greater powers of local government than have hitherto been enjoyed by Rotorua residents. It propose* to set up a council with the usual powers enjoyed under the Municipal Corporations Act, to comprise four per-' sons elected by the electors of the borough, and two appointed, by the Governor-General-iu-Council, togefchor with a Mayor, who will be elected.

The Bill proposes to vest in the council all property ? assets, rights and liabilities of the Tourist Department, excepting the drainage, water and electiio light services, though these may be vested < in- ihe borough by Order-in-Council alter a commission comprising a stipendiary magistrate, two elective members of the council, and two others appointed by the Govei-nor-General-in-Council, who will report upon the amount to be paid to the Crown for any of these services, and the charges which should be made to the Crown by the council for lighting, drainage and water supply. In the event of control passing to the council the council is to be given power to borrow sufficient to pay the amount of the commission's award without taking a poll of the ratepayers. It is proposed that the council shall receive all rents of Crown lands or from the Crown's interest in native lands within the borough. A clause proposes to specially limit the council's rights to undertake any work which might directly or indirectly damage any thermal Bpring, or interfere with the supply of water to the Government baths. The clause vesting Government property in tho borough is subject to a provision thai nothing in it shall operate so as to confer on the corporation any right to any portion of. bath fees collected by the Government within that area.