THE PROGRESS LEAGUE

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 1 July 1924, Page 6

THE PROGRESS LEAGUE

A LEGAL QUESTION ANSWERED,

NO CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BOROUGH CUUACIL.

At the meeting of the Timaru Borougu Council a week ago, >..ieu tne mutter ol a contrioutiuu o ue Cuuceroury Frogress League u u.scusseu, it was deemed to reier tne question to tne Council's solicitors, Messrs Ferry, iiinneriioy, ancl r men, lor an opinion as to wnetiier sucli a contribution could legally be made. At the special meeting of the Council held last evening, tne loilowing reply irom tne solicitors was received: — “Section 59 (1) of tlie Reserves and Otner Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1918, provides that any local, authority whose district is within or partly within the Provincial.. District of Canterbury' may contribute to the Canterbury Progress League, suen sum in any' year, as it thinks fit. The section goes on to provide as follows : ‘Or, if within that part oi the Provincial District, lying soutn of the Kangitata- River, to tne South Canterbury Development League.’ • “We are of opinion that tne latter part of the section controls the matter as far as your Council is concerned, and is a restriction on the Council and limits the Council’s power of subscribing to the South Canterbury League; and therefore, does liot/authorise subscriptions to, any other body. It follows that the :' Council cau make no contribution to the Canterbury League. If there is a South' Canterbury League in existence, contributions can be made tp it. Seeing that the Legislature lias clearly .indicated its intention that , contributions ' from South Canter- : bury shall be devoted to South Canterbury purposes only, we are unable to - concludethat tlie'section author-,, ises payments for the benefit of Canterbury generally. If such authority is desired, special legislation will be required to effect the purpose in

view.” The Mayor said that in view of this opinion, his notice' of motion that the Council should contribute the sum of £76 15s to the Canterbury Progress League, would not now be in _ order; and he would withdraw it. General satisfaction was expressed by councillors that legal opinion had been sought before any definite steps were taken by the Council.