THE COUNTY COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 11

THE COUNTY COUNCILS.

ALTERATION OF POWERS. REGULATING hoardings. CONSTRUCTION OF WHARVES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. Wider powers are to be given to county councils under the Counties Amendment Bill, which has been introduced in the House of Representatives by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. R. F. Bollard. The councils are to have authority to make by-laws to prevent danger from fire and to make owners of buildings provide fire escapes where such are deemed necessary. They may regulate or licence the keeping in the counties of animals, reptiles and birds, or prohibit their retention where, in the opinion of the council concerned, they are likely to become a nuisance. The expected provisions regarding the regulation of hoardings are contained in the bill, but it is to be laid down that any restrictive provisions are not to apply to existing hoardings or advertisements for a period of not less than five years from the date of making the by-laws. If the bill is passed by Parliament the counties will also have authority to acquire land and buildings for recreational purposes and to improve them. Another clause seeks to give permission to the councils to contribute toward the cost of construction of wharves, whether they are within the boundaries of the county or not, but which, in the opinion of the council concerned, are likely to be of benefit to the inhabitants of the county. The existing authority under which county councils may dissolve road boards and merge road districts in the county is to be slightly lessened by limiting the authority to road districts the capital value of which is less than one half of the total capital value of the county. At present road districts can be merged if their capital value is not less than twofifths of the total county valuation. It is proposed to extend the eligibility of members of tht councils to do county work by allowing them to undertake contracts which do not exceed £lO in the case of any single contract, or £25 in the ! case of two or more contracts, in any financial year. Under the existing Act the limits are £5 and £lO respectively. An additional clause seeks to make it lawful for councils to pay members for work done prior to the date of then election to the council.