COUNTY COUNCILS' CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11191, 13 August 1898, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCILS' CONFERENCE.

(Per United Press Association.) ' WELLINGTON, August 12. The County Council Conference began its sittings this- morning. The president's address stated that there had been no necessity to hold a meeting last year, and there was some doubt whether it was desirable this year, but he thought it was better to keep themselves in touch with the progress of legislation. The funds in hand amounted |to £105, and there were no liabilities, so j that no subscription was required this year. IMr Majendie was re-elected president; Messrs Lang and Fraser vice-presidents; committee—Messrs Vonreden, Bird, Hunter, Richards, Sutherland, Westenra, and Hislop; treasurer, Mr Field ; auditor, Mr , Bolton. j A deputation from the • conference interviewed the. Premier with the object- of finding out the position in regard to the Local Government Bill and, if possible, to procure copies of tlie measure. [On the conference resuming in the afternoon the chairman.reported that the deputation had seen the Premier concerning the Local Government Bill, and he had replied that he could not supply copies. The measure would be practically the same as before, with the exception of abolishing plurality of voting, The Premier said he would do his best to put the measure through this session, but -\vould look for help from the conference. If the conference advocated and induced the House to call a special ses-

sion of Parliament in February next to dea with the .bill' there was no" doubt it would go through. Mr'O'Regan said the suggestion of the Premier was altogether impracticable. The present session promised' to be the longest on record and gave promise of continuing until Christmas. Other delegates said the whole thing depended on Mr Seddon. If be; wanted the bill to go through it would go through. Further dis-, cussion on the bill was postponed. It was decided to amend clause .20 of the Local Government Voting Reform Bii] by striking out the words "each ratepayer having one vote and no more," and inserting in place thereof the following words:—''Voting powers of ratepayers to remain as at present." It wns resolved that "it was desirable tbat County.-Councils should have power granted . to" them to levy any small rate, sucb as a special work's rate or a bridge Insurance rate, without taking a poll of the ratepayers, iuch rate not to exceed id in the £. It was decided that local authorities should-be empowered to pay interest on loans out;of ordinary revenue ia cases where each road receives a fixed portion of the entire revenue. Air Perry (Pahiatua) moved — "That ' The Government Loans to Local ;Bodies Act, 1686' be amended by reducing- the interest thereon to 4 per cent." After considerable discussion j this was carried unanimously. At 5.30 the conference adjourned till j 11.30 a.m. to-.morrqw.' ';■_ -■ ' „ , as