MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 181, 17 July 1900, Page 3

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, July 16,

Tho Municipal Confi roues met in the City Council Chambers this morning.

The Msyor of Wellington (Mr. Aitken) presided, and read the annual report.

The Hon. J. G. Ward represented the Campbelltown Borough, Mr. Gray was re-appointed auditor. The report on legislation was read. Mr. Reece moved that the Government be requested to bring into operation section 5 of the Dairy Industry Act, placing in the hands of Government inspectors the enforcement of regulations.—Carried. It was agreed that for the carrying out efficiently of the Adulteration Prevention Act that Government analysts visit all towns periodically. A proposal that the subdivision of quarter-acre sections in towns be prohibited with a view to preventing overcrowding iu cities caused discussion, and it was ultimately agreed to refer the matter to the Committee on Legislation. Mr. Kiik moved that full control be given to tho local authority having jurisdiction in regard to the matter of sewage bqing allowed to flow into streams flowing through each district. —Carried.

A proposal to compel local boards of health situate in the suburbs of a city or borough to unite with such oity or borough and form one board to deal with matters concerning public health was agreed to. It was agreed th't where a penalty is impost d for tbo omission to execute any sanitary or other work the council be empowered, without prejudice or liability to penalty, to itself execute the work and recover the cost.

With respect to the Municipal Corporations Consolidation Bill now before Parliament, the Chairman urged that the Government be requested to pass a measure this session. ■

Tiie proposal to extend the time for completing burgess lists to the second Thuisday in July in each year, the burgess lists then to be out for the year, one month's notice to be given of cosing, was dropued.

A motion was carried that one burgess list ou'y be required instead of three, as propo ed in the Bill, The clause relieving boroughs of thfl obligation to print the byrgess list was referred to tl>o Legislative Committee. The question of extending the time for completion of burgess lists from April 30th to May sth was referred to the Legislative Committee, as were also motions that ratepayers and freeholders be putin one roll instead of two.

It was decided to refer to the Com-i mittee a motion to amend Section 162 of the Municipal Corporations Act, to enable special rates levied for payment of interest on loans being paid into the General Account, to be transferred each half-year to the Interest Account, and in deposit loan moneys to add " or other incorporated company or institution " after " Bank," in which such | moneys may be deposited.—Carried.

A number of amendments in tbe Municipal Corporations Act in regard to fencing, building*, and licensing buildings for public entertainments, from the Christchutch Council, were referred to a committee,

For the installation of Mayor, it was agreed that it be optional to hold the annual meeting at noon or in the ievening; also a special meeting to be held to consider the balance-sheet immediately after the first ordinary meeting at which balance-sheets are received from the Audit Office. It was resolved that section 229 of the Act shall not operate to prevent a Council from preventing and suppressing nuisances on Government property, A large number of motions on the order paper were withdrawn on accoiint of the objects haying been provided for in the Government Bill.

The Conference adjourned at 3.30 p.m.