COUNTIES ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2851, 20 June 1896, Page 3

COUNTIES ASSOCIATION.

In opening the third annual Conference of tho Now Zealand Counties’ Association yesterday in the Exchange Buildings, Mr P. A. Majendie (president) said a copy of the Local Government Bill would be laid before tbo Conference for discussion. It Was an open secret that tbo Government did not intend to push the measure beyond Its second reading this year. The finances of tlio Association wore in a Satisfactory condition.

Tho treasurer presented a balance-sheet, which showed a credit of X'hl 8s ,'fd. He suggested that as tho Conference was in such a good financial position the subscription from counties with a valuation under ■C 1,000.000 be XI Is per annum, and over that amount X'2 2s.

The report and balance - shoot wore adopted.

Tho election of oflhors resulted as follows ;—President, Mr if. A. Mnjeudio (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs W. Fraser, M.JI.lt. (Lake), re-elected, and I). McMillan (Selwyn) ; treasurer, Mr I£. A. Field (ilutt), rc-eloctcd; auditor, Mr S. Holton; executive committee, Messrs J. Kobbell (Jlorov/henua),. F. W. Lang, M. 11.11. (Waikato) ; F. Von Koden (Wairarapa North) ; D. Buick (Manawatu), W. Booth (Wairarapa), W. Monkhouso (Stratford), and J. Gird (Waimea). A motion that where the Counties Act of 1880 is suspended, each Hoad Board with a valuation exceedin',' .£200,000 ho deemed to bu a County Council under tho Association, was lost.

A proposal that any alteration in tho constitution should bo first submitted to the Executive Committee, and that such alteration should ho deemed carried if twothirds of tho Conference voted for it, was lost.

Another proposal asking that tho Government before offerin'' now blocks of land for competition should fell and grass a width of five chains (tho roadway to bo in the centre) was lost. In the absence of Mr T. A. Dunlop, Mr ,T. McGowan, M.11.K., moved that in all cases where Government lands are open for selection duo provision bo made for adequate road reserves, and that copies of tho surveys showing tho roads bo sent to tho local government body interested therein. The motion was carried on tho voices. At tho afternoon sitting tho Conference considered tho Local Government Bill. Mr 11. D. Vavasour (t’ioton) proposed, and Mr G. 11. Minchin (Whangarei) socondsd, "That tho Conference is of opinion that tho Bill as a whole is an unworkable one,” Mr W. Monkhouso (Stratford) moved, and Mr J. Ileslop (Hawora) seconded, an amendment, “ That tho Bill ho considered, and that tho Conference move and carry such amendments as will make tho Bill a workable ono." Tho Bill was then discussed at some length, and opposed by several of the delegates. Eventually tho motion and amendment were amalgamated so as to read ns follows I That tho Bill as a whole is unworkable, and that this Conference do its best to suggest alterations and details as will make it a workable ono. This was carried, and it was decided to consider tho Bill clause by clause in open conference. The Conference adjourned at 1.15 p.m. until 10 o’clock this morning.