THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 398, 7 August 1877, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, August 6. At the Municipal Conference to-day, the following resolution, after a very long discussion, was passed :—That no deductions should be made from subsidies payable to local bodies in Provincial Districts, as provided for by the Financial Arrangements Bill now before Parliament. Provision should be made for maintenance of these institutions throughout the Colony from the Consolidated Fund ; but failing that, by a general rate levied over the Colony, such rate to be fixed annually by Parliament ; and that all hospitals and charitable institutions be managed by Boards elected by the local governing bodies in the various districts ivhere such institutions are established ; but where any district adopting the Charitable Institutions Bill shall be accurately defined, it shall be exempted from taxation for similar institutions."

A deputation waited upon the Premier and Dr. Pollen this afternoon, and were most favourably received. The Premier acknowledged tiiat the present method of deducting from the subsidy was a mistake, and stated that the Government intended shortly to introduce a Bill providing that where tiie Charitable Institutions Bill was not adopted, the deductions from the subsidy should be on the rateable value, and not upon the rates actually raised.