NEW BILLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7287, 25 June 1885, Page 3

NEW BILLS.

(FEOM OUB OWN COBBKSFONDiINTj Wellington, June 23. THK CORONERS' JCRIKS .ABOLITION BILL provides for coroners' inquests being held by a coroner sitting alone without a jury.

THE JIINEES' EIGBT FEES EEDUOrI N BILL reduces fees for mining rights to 10<.

THE COUNTIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL aims nt establishing comities upon a fixed basis without power of alteration from day to day. Now counties will henceforth only be created by the Assembly, which also will bo the sole authority for making any change in the boundarieß of countiec, except in so far &3 these may be affected by tho erection of borough or town districts on the borders of counties. Town districts shall constitute separate ridings of themselves, and it provides for the formation of ridings in mining districts that every local body therein may preserve, its integrity. Tho powor of suspending tbe Act for tbe future is abolished. Tiie position of tbe countioß where tho Act of 187G was suspended is conserved, and power given to the council to move for ita revival, too ratepayers having such power under Eectiops 17 of the amending Act of ISS2. Town districts may bo merged in the county in tho eamn way as road districts. Tfco bill alco provides for the continuar;c3 of axisting rolls. Where new rolls are not made at the prescribed tima provision is being made for the election of the chairman of the county by the electors at large. In consequence of the chairman boingmade elective by the county, the original cnactmont is restored. It also provides for the election of auditors by tbe county at large as in boroughs, instead of having them appointed by the Governor aa horetofore, with the option of having jtheir accounts audited by tbo Audit Office, or jointly, or by elected auditors. It provides for fcbo distribution of ono-tbird the not income of tho county amongst tho ridings in tha proportion of rates received from tbe land to bo expended on worka therein. A similar provision ia in force in Victoria. Separate accounts shall be kept out of tbe county expenditure within road district and towu districts and of their respective contributions to the country rates. The bill provides for levying general rates for counties by districts therein. and for tho expenditure of thoss- rates in Bucb districts, less a fixed contribution towards general sxpensaa and liabilities of the county. Special rates within a portion of a county for interest on special loans raised for the benefit of such iwrtion may bo lovied. Tho county and road and town boards may collect each other's ratea for the saving of expense Threefifths of votes polled ia required for sanctioning loans. The Governor may declare that a county council may exercise tha powers of a harbour board in a place where none aro existing. Powers are given to county councils to contract for ths eroction of telegraph and telephonio lines, and contributions towards tbe coet of public nchool buildings is authorised. A very necessary power to make bye-laws ioi tho prevention of nuisances and tho crowding of people into houses, to the danger of public health, is given.