County Councils Conference.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8328, 16 August 1895, Page 3

County Councils Conference.

Wellington, August 14. A proposal that game licenses be made county revenue was negatived. Recommendations w»te carried that the Eating Act should be amended to make occupiers of small grazing runs pay tbe same rates as ordinary leaseholders; that the Loans to Local Bodies Act should be amended to give local bodies power to raise loans for remetalling worn out road and that the necessary majority be a majority of votes exercisable or two thirds of those cast ; that where a special rating area is defined for loan purposes under the Loans Local Bodies Act or part of such area is subsequently included within boundaries of a new county that the latter should have power to levy and collect the original special rate made as security for loans ; that the Conference protests against legislation that will enable non- ratepayers to vote on matters affecting local Government ; that the Conference regrets the delay in bringing down the Local Government Bill which has prevented this representative gathering disoussing it. A committee was appointed to watch the interests of New Zealand Counties Association and a motion was carried that no delegate Association should be entitled to more than one vote and that regulations should be amended accordingly. The Conference adjourned until tomorrow. August 15. The Coaniy Coaccil Conference this afternoon resolved that where County Counoi!s have small townships, viz., condensed townships not town districts, provisions be made for tbe constitution of speoial rating dittrie'e, not being ooextenßive with the ruling of boundaries fur water bupply, street formation and drainage, aud that Bach special ratio g extend over five to seven years. A further resolution was carried that one-fourth of tbe revenue derived from the Sile of any timber on Crown lands be beld <o be the proper y of the Mayor or looal body ; also that tbe Government ba urged to place a sum on the Estimates to enable tbe Publio Trustee to pay rates doe on Native lands. A committee was appointed to revise the resolutions passed at the Conference, and a deputation appointed to present a report of the proceedings to the Premier. Tbe Conference adjourned until tbe Looal Government Bill is introduced.