RAILWAYS BY LOCAL ENTERPRISE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16165, 29 August 1914, Page 3

RAILWAYS BY LOCAL ENTERPRISE.

A COMPLETE BILL.

(Fnoii Odb Own Correspondent.*

WELLINGTON, August 23. | A scheme for the construction of railways by local eiiterpriso is contained in a Bill introduced in the Houso of Representatives this evening. The measure is a. completo statement m 101 clauses of the machinery for the building and operation, of such railways. Any continuous area, may bo constituted a rail-/ way district upon a petition lodged by ono-( fourth of tho ratepayer within the area. A railway board of from five to nine members is to bo elected by tho ratepayers, and this board is to have power to borrow money and to levy rates on a graduated soale, according to the measure of 'benefit conferred by ite -works. The construction oi a railway proposed by a board must bo authorised by Order-in-Co'uneil before it is commenced. An agreement may bs made between the Governor and any railway board for the trains and rolling stock of both the State and tho board's railways to run on the State and tho board's lines. Upon giving 12 months' notice tho Goverment may purchase a railway system constructed by a railway board, at a price fixed by arbitration. No compensation is to bo paid for goodwill, but r.n addition is to be made to the price fixed by arbitration of 5 (per oent. if the purchase* ie completed within 10 and 14 years after *l;o railway has been opened for traffic, or of 10 ipci" cent, if it is made within H and 21 years. Power is given to the board to sell or leaso its railway. I