Municipal Association

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20673, 11 March 1937, Page 5

Municipal Association

Good Progress Made Large Number of Remits Discussed President’s Annual Report Delegates representing municipalities between Bluff and Whangarei assembled in the Bay Hall yesterday for the first business session of the annual conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand. The conference is presided over by the Mayor of Masterton (Mr T. Jordan). The order paper contained in the vicinity of 120 remits, embracing a wide range of local body affairs, and more than 100 of these were disposed of yesterday. The conference will conclude to-day, when the remaining remits will be dealt with. Officers will be elected, and an address on town planning will be given by Mr R. B. Hammond (Director of Town Planning).

Delegates Present. Municipalities represented and their delegates are: Auckland Transport Board (Messrs W. T. Anderton, MP., McClintock), Mt. Rosklll Road Board (Messrs C. M. McCullough, chairman, J. H. Reich, clerk), Akaroa (Messrs F. Davis, Mayor, T. C. Riches, Town Clerk), Ashburton (Mr E. H. Woods, Mayor, R. C. Major, Town Clerk), Auckland City (Messrs A. Rossor and C. Bailey), Balclutha (Mr D. T. Fleming, Mayor), Blenheim (Messrs C T. Smith, Deputy Mayor, T. F. Bull, Town Clerk), Bluff (Messrs J. H. Doyle, H. A. Ferguson, Town Clerk), Christchurch City (Messrs J. W. Beanland, Mayor, E. H. Andrews, J. S. Neville, Town Clerk), Dannevirke (Messrs E. Gibbard, Mayor, G. O’Hara Smith, Town Clerk), Dargaville (Miss L. Watson, Town Clerk), Devonport (Messrs H. F. W. Meikle, Mayor, A. E. Wilson, Town Clerk), Dunedin City (Rev. E. T. Cox, Mayor, J. W. Munro, R. A. Johnson, Town Clerk), Eketahuna (Mr D. H. Dobson, Town Clerk), Eastbourne (Messrs E. W. Wise, Mayor, T. Bishop), Eltham (Mr M. McPherson, Town Clerk), Feilding (Mr C. H. Tate, Town Clerk), Geraldine (Mr B. R. Macdonald, Mayor), Gisborne (Messrs H. Holmes, W. M. Jenkins, Town Clerk), Gore (Mr D. Harvey, Town Clerk), Green Island (Messrs G. Orange, Deputy Mayor, R. F. Burke, Town Clerk), Greymouth (Messrs W. Meldrum, Mayor, F. H. -Denton, Town Clerk), Greytown (Mr A. W. Horton, Mayor), Hamilton (Messrs J. R. Fow, Mayor, W. W. Waddell, Town Clerk), Hastings (Mr G. A. Maddlson, Mayor, Harding, Town Clerk), Hawera (Messrs J. E. Campbell, Mayor, H. Elliott, Town Clerk), Inglewood (Messrs J. Gibbs, Mayor, J. A. Ross, Town Clerk), Invercargill City (Messrs J. Miller, Mayor, W. F. Sturman, Town Clerk), Kaiapoi (Mr W. H. A. Vickery, Mayor), Levin (Messrs P. W. Goldsmith, Mayor, H L. Jenkins, Town Clerk), Lower Hutt (Messrs J. W. Andrews, Mayor, B. S. Knox, Town Clerk), Masterton (Mr T. Jordan, Mayor), Mataura (Messrs J. Buchanan, Mayor, T. K. Fisher, Town Clerk), Motueka (Mr R. J L. York (Mayor), Mount Albert (Messrs H. A. Anderson, Mayor, G. E. Carr T. R. Congalton, Town Clerk), Mount Eden (Messrs K. N. Buttle, A. Jack, Town Clerk), Napier (Messrs C. O. Morse, Mayor, C. D. Cox, F. R. Watters, Town Clerk), Nelson City (Messrs G. L. Page, Mayor, F. Mitchell, Town • Clerk), New Brighton (Mr E. L. Smith, Mayor), Newmarket (Messrs S. Donaldson, Mayor, H. Wilson, Town Clerk), New Plymouth (Messrs E. Gilmour, Mayor, P. E. Stainton, Deputy Mayor, F. T. Bellringer, Town Clerk), Ngaruawahia (Mr R. Eyre, Mayor), Northcote (Mr R. Martin, Mayor), Oamaru (Messrs M. F. Cooney, Mayor, J. Braithwaite, Town Clerk), Ohakune (Messrs L. W. Natron, Mayor, S. Torepe, Town Clerk), Onehunga (Mr G. A. Park, Mayor), Opunake (Mr C. Thayer, Town Clerk), One Tree Hill (Messrs M J. Hooper, A. Leese, Town Clerk), Paeroa (Mr W. Marshall, Mayor), Pahiatua (Messrs J. D. Wilson, Mayor, L. D. Lovelock, Town Clerk), Palmerston North City (Messrs A. E. Mansford, Mayor, G. Tremaine, Deputy Mayor, J. R. Hardie, Town Clerk), Palmerston (Mr W. B. Galloway, Mayor), Pa tea (Messrs F. Ramsbottom, Mayor, L. W. Austin, Town Clerk), Petone (Messrs A. Scholefield, Mayor, H. Firth, Town Clerk), Port Chalmers (Messrs T. Scollay, Mayor, C. Blackman, Town Clerk), Pukekohe (Mr G. T. Parvin, Deputuy Mayor), Raetihi (Dr. W. J. Feltham, Mayor, C. M. Turner, Town Clerk), Rangiora (Messrs C. W. Tyler, Mayor, J. M. Fraser, Town Clerk), Rotorua <Mr T. Jackson, Mayor). Roxburgh <Mr F. A. Laloli, Mayor). St. Kilda (Messrs J. J. Marlow, Mayor, J. Tregise, Town Clerk), Stratford (Messrs J. W. McMillan, Mayor. G C. Grace, Town Clerk), Sumner (Messrs T. Newburgh, Mayor, J. Menzies, Town Clerk), Taumarunui (Messrs W. A. N. Campbell, I. A. Webb, Town Clerk), Tauranga (Messrs L. R. Wilkinson, Mayor. R. B. Shearman, Town Clerk), Te Aroha (Mr R. Coulter, Mayor) Te Kuiti (Mr W. J. Strange, Town Clerk), Temuka (Messrs A. W. Buzan, Mayor, L. Butters, Town Clerk), Thames (Mr C. L. Grange), Timaru (Messrs P. C. Vinnell, Mayor, W. H. Hall, E. A. Killick. Town Clerk), Upper Hutt (Messrs A. J. McCurdy, Mayor, J. Wilmshurst, Town Clerk), Waimate (Mr G. Dash, Mayor), Wairoa (Mr H. L. Harker, Mayor). Waipukurau (Mr H. B. Smart, Town Clerk), Wellington City (Messrs W Appleton, W. G. Black), West Harbour, Ravensbourne (Messrs A. Smith, Mayor, W. Connor Town Clerk), Westport (Mr A. Taylor, Town Clerk),

Whangarei (Messrs W. Jones, Mayor, L. Hall, Town Clerk), Woodville (Mr D Keay, Town Clerk), Hikurangi Town Board (Mr E. J. Hurley, Town Clerk), Ormondville Town Board (Mr A A. Liddell), Papa toetoe Town Board (Mr W. J. Nicholson). Also in attendance are Mr A. Eaton Hurley (secretary) and Mr John O’Shea (solicitor to the Association), Wellington. King George V. Memorial. An appeal by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) for support of of his proposal to establish health camps as a national memorial to the' late King George V. was read by the president. A resolution was passed congratulating the Prime Minister on his choice of a national memorial to the late King George V. and assuring him of the Association’s whole-hearted co-operation and support. President’s Report. The president in his annual report stated that following the usual practice the Executive waited on the Prime Minister last June to present to him the remits passed at the last Conference. Instead of bewildering him with a recital in detail of these and the reasons for them, it was suggested that they should be referred to the several departments of state that were concerned with tiiem and a formal report obtained. The emergency committee would then have an opportunity of conferring with the departmental authorities and of discussing the decision of the departments. The belief that it ought to be possible between one conference and the next to have a definite decision on each of the remits submitted -was stressed.

“I should like to place on record our appreciation of the willing and detailed co-operation of the Prime Minister and his colleagues in this matter and. to offer our especial thanks to the officers of the Department of Internal Affairs upon whose shoulders has fallen the

greater part of the work involved in the investigations. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the Association and of its usefulness in the municipal life of the Dominion." The year had been exceedingly fruitful in legislation that concerned all very closely and it had claimed and received the constant care and attention of the officers of the Association and in particular of its Counsel, Mr O'Shea. It had been the Executive’s duty to make representations on some of the legislation to the ministers in charge and they were pleased to be able to report that they had uniformly received the greatest courtesy and consideration from the Minister and in a number of cases they have been able to make substantial concessions to the Association's special circumstances and points of view. Industrial Activity. "In the industrial activity resulting from the legislation we have had cause to be intimately concerned. The formation of unions amongst our many classes of employees became a subject of urgent consideration, and we are glad to be able to report that in this too we were met by union officials in a spirit of helpful consideration. Our clerical staff have been enabled to form an industrial union of their own, instead of losing their identity amongst members of a wider commercial union with whom they have little in common. The question of the formation of one large union for all outdoor municipal employees was the subject of considerable thought and discussion amongst the committee and with the union officials. In the result it was agreed, with reservation of any kind, that we should be’ enabled to frame local agreements covering all the employees of a single municipality or district agreements covering the employees of a number of such municipalities.” The year had been notable for the introduction by the Minister of Internal Affairs of a Bill providing for the amalgamation of local bodies. This I had been the subject of a good deal of comment up and down the country and apparently there was some resistance in prospect. The Association desired to offer congratulations to the Minister upon his courage in taking in hand this urgent work and to assure him of its willing co-operation in his task. It was hoped he will not be turned aside from his expressed purpose of introducing some measure of rationalisation in the extravager.t system of Local Government that had grown up in the Dominion, and thus pave the way for what the Minister had in mind—a greater devolution of self-governing power upon a more compact and homogeneous unit. It had been suggested to the Millister that the way to amalgamation would be made easier in many cases if effect were given to the Regional Planning provisions of the Town Planning Act. This would have the virture of providing the local bodies in each region with an array of facts and deductions from these facts that would make clearer the case for a reduction in the number of local bodies. Fortunately, most of these facts were already in the possession of the several Departments of State and merely required collating and tabulating. The committee forwarded its congratulations to Mr L. B. Bishop and to Mr A. Leese on their winning the New Zealand Society of Accountants prize for theses on Local Body Finance and Accounts. Waterworks Association “In October last I had the opportunity of meeting Sir Albert Atkey, the Chairman of the British Waterworks Association, and discussing with him a proposal that we should become a member of his Association. This Association has for its object the acquisition and diffusion of all manner •of knowledge and information relating to Waterworks whether engineering, financial, legal, scientific, or statistical. From time to time it publishes com-

prehensive bulletins circulating this knowledge and information amongst its members, and it seems to the Committee that we should be establishing a very valuable contact by joining the Association. Mr E. R. McKillop, Chief Waterworks Engineer to the Wellington City Council, has kindly offered to extract from the bulletins such items as seem to him to be of interest,” continued the president. “I have to record with deep regret the deaths during the year of Mr T. W. Satterthwaite, Mayor of Timaru and one of the vice-presidents of the Association; Mr W. H. Bennett, Deputy-Mayor of Wellington; Mr T. Guerin, first Chairman of Kaikohe Town Board; Mr William Fisher, Mayor of Carterton; Mr H. E. Moller, formerly Mayor of West Harbour, Ravensbourne; Mr H. H. Leary, Mayor of St. Kilda and Mr A. J. Entrican, formerly Deputy-Mayor of Auckland. Members Honoured

“It is with pleasure that I have to record the honour of Knighthtood conferred upon Mr G. A. Troup by His Majesty the King. He was for four years Mayor of the City of Wellington and during his term of office took a very active interest in the affairs of the Association as a member of its executive committee. In this same Honours List was a C.B.E. for Mr W. A. Heenan, Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs. We offer him our hearty congratulations upon the honour which His Majesty the King has conferred upon him. This Association owes a great deal to the kindly co-operation of Mr Heenan and his officers, and I am sure we were all delighted to see his name on the list.

“Upon the death of Mr T. W. Satterthwaite, Mayor of Timaru, in May last, Mi - P. C. Vinnell, his successor in that office took his place upon the executive committee. Subsequently in August we lost another valuable member in Mr Raymond Ferner, Mayor of Mount Albert, who accepted an appointment to the Magistracy, and his place has been taken by his successor in office, Mr H. A. Anderson. “The statement of income and expenditure shows that there was for the year ending November 30th, 1936, an excess of expenditure over income of £35/8/6 as against an excess of income over expenditure for the last financial year of £95/6/7. This is accounted for by the fact that during the last year a full executive meeting was held in September so that the item of executive expenses has increased from £lll/19/- to £l9l/0/3, an increase of approximately £79. In addition, in accordance with the resolution of the March conference the secretary’s salary has been increased from £250 to £3OO per annum. The substantial increase in Government legislation has also involved additional legal work with an attendant increase in cost to the Association. The Balance Sheet discloses that after allowing for the excess of expenditure the accumulated funds of the Association still stand at £263/1/10. “I desire in conclusion to express the thanks of the committee and the Association to Mr O’Shea for his tireless vigilance during a very busy year; and to Mr Hurley for his keen and unremitting attention to the affairs of the Association and its members,” concluded the president. Mr Rosser (Auckland) congratulated the Executive on its report and balance-sheet and the president on his successful year. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Remits Discussed Green Island Borough Council advanced the following remit: “That the Municipal Corporations Act be amended so as to provide, in lieu of separate elections for mayor and councillors one election be held for councillors and that the Mayor be elected by the Council.” Mr Orange (Green Island), who moved the remit, said that in many cases where elections were held separately for the mayoralty and for the council a councillor who had given long service to the borough was deprived of the honour of mayor. It also would be a saving of expense to the municipality to have the mayor elected by the council. The remit was seconded by Mr Black (Wellington), who said a coun-

cillor with good service would not then be deprived of the honour by a man who had no experience of local body work, but who entered the field only for the dignity of the office. Opposition was expressed by several speakers, who objected that the public would then be deprived of the right to select their own mayor. The remit was lost on the voices. On the motion of Mr Vinnell (Timaru) the following remit relating to advertising was carried: “That the following clause should be included in Part X of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933:—‘The council may expend in any year for the purposes of advertising scenic or other attractions of the borough a sum not exceeding £lOO or one-fifth of 1 per cent, of the whole of the rates levied by the borough in the same year, whichever is the greater.’ ” Too Many Orders-in-Council Under the heading of unauthorised expenditure, Mr Page moved the following remit on behalf of Nelson City Council: “That the Government be urged to take statutory power to authorise by Order-in-Council expenditure by local bodies for such purpose as may be prescribed in such Order-in-Council.” Mr Appleton (Wellington) opposed the remit on the grounds that there was a tendency in New Zealand to do too much by Order-in-Council, which was establishing a dangerous precedent. Authority should not be given to local bodies to secure validating legislation by “back door” methods. Mr Hawker (Wairoa) also objected on similar grounds. The remit was defeated.

A Timaru Remit A Timaru remit was as follows: “That Subsection (2) of Section 308 of the Municipal Corporations Act be amended to permit a Council not only to make grants of money but to expend money itself for the purposes named therein.” Note: The council instead of giving a grant to the various school committees for the purchase of milk for schools purchased the milk itself and as a consequence we were com- I pelled to charge the expenditure co | “unauthorised” notwithstanding the fact that the council’s method from its own point of view was the most businesslike and was also the method suggested by the chairmen of the school committees.

In moving the adoption of the remit, Mr Vinnell said the need for it had disappeared, the Government having taken over the milk to schools, but there might be other expenditure to which the remit might at any time apply. Section 308 (2) applied to grants for technical education, libraries, museums, etc., dental and other nursing activities and, generally, any purpose of recreation, health, education, etc. Objection might be raised to the remit that it would encourage too many boroughs taking over activities that should be run by voluntary effort or Government enterprise, and Clause (3) does in fact give such power. The remit need not be stressed—it was purely a matter of opinion.

A Timaru remit was: ‘‘That the following clause be included in Part X. of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933:—‘The Council may expend in any year, for the purpose of recouping officers attending conferences of Associations of which they are members by virtue of their office, a sum not exceeding one-tenth of 1 per cent, of the whole of the rates levied by the borough in the same year.’ ” Mr Vinnell said that the remit, as originally drafted, provided for a limit of £lO for boroughs under 5000 population, £25 for boroughs between 5000 and 10,000, £5O between 10,000 and 30,000 and £75 for those over 30,000. It was felt that, within reason, officers should be permitted to attend conferences without the same being charged to unauthorised. Delegates were advised to carry the remit as 'the Auditor-General was aware of the position and had no doubt advised his inspectors, with the result that those boroughs who had “got away with it” in the past will no longer be able to do so. The remit was carried.

Mr Hall seconded the motion, which was lost. Free Gas Connections "That Section 276 (2) of the Municipal Corporations Act 1933 be amended to place municipal gasworks upon the same footing as municipal electric supply works and electric power boards as to free installation of appliances,” was a proposition put forward by Dannevirke Borough Council. The president explained that gas undertakings were not allowed to make connections free to consumers, while power boards were. The remit sought to have both types of bodies placed on the same footing. On the motion of Messrs Gibbard (Dannevirke) and Andrews (Christchurch) the remit was carried. On the motion of Messrs Black (Wellington) and Gibbard (Dannevirke), the following remit was adopted: “That power be given to local authorities, under proper restrictions, in cases where employees die intestate, or where their wills are not proved, to pay wages amounting to less than £2O to the widow, or such relatives as the local authority thinks fit.” Second-hantl Dealers A suggestion that local authorities

should control the issue of secondhand dealers’ licenses was made by Mount Albert Borough Council which sponsored a remit as follows: “That the Government be urged to restore to local authorities the right to issue second-hand dealers’ licenses or failing this to amend the existing legislation so as to provide that no such licenses are issued without due regard to the provisions of town planning schemes.” In moving the remit, Mr Anderson (Mount Albert) said that by the Act of 1908 local authorities had the power to issue licenses, but now dealers received their licenses from the Magistrate. It was felt that the local authority should have some say as to who should hold licenses and where such premises ‘should be opened. Mr Apple ton pointed out that the police knew the characters of applicants for licenses, whereas the local authorities did not. He was quite agreeable to allowing the local authorities to say where the shops should be located. He suggested that the first portion of the remit be deleted. This procedure was adopted, and the remit was carried in the following form: “That the Government be urged to amend the existing legislation so as to provide that no licenses are issued without due regard to the provisions of town planning schemes.” An Auckland remit supporting the principle of local body officers having the right of appeal to a statutory Board of Appeal was adopted.

Sealing of Right-of-Ways “That the Government be urged to provide legislation to enable local bodies to require subdividing owners to permanently form and seal to the satisfaction of the Council, any right-of-way (or pathway) to a section not having a frontage to a dedicated road,” was a proposal advanced by Devonport Borough Council. The remit was moved by Mr Meikle (Devonport), seconded by Mr Jackson (Onehunga), and carried. Devonport Borough Council moved the following remit: “That the Government be urged to provide legislation to enable local bodies to enact by-laws providing that where grass swards have been laid down in streets on property frontages the council may recover the cost of grass cutting from the property owner.” The remit was carried. The following, put forward by the president on behalf of the executive, were carried: “That the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933. be amended as follows: (1) Amendment to Section 175: Add new sub-section (7): (a) Any grass plot or flower bed heretofore laid | out on any street by any Council or | heretofore or hereafter laid out on any i street by any person acting under the

authority of the Council, shall be deemed to be laid out pursuant to the provisions of this Act. (b) In connection with any by-law relating to the control, protection or use of any grass plot or flower bed, it shall be sufficient to define such grass plot or flower bed by resolution of the Council defining the area of such grass plot or flower bed, and the Council may by resolution abolish any such grass plot or flower bed. (c) Every such resolution shall be publicly notified, but it shall not be necessary in such notice to define particularly the area of any such grass plot or flower bed, and the notification shall merely indicate generally the streets in and between which such grass plot or flower bed is situate, (d) The Council shall keep available for public inspection during office hours a record showing the grass plots or flower beds so defined and such record shall contain an accurate description of each such grass plot or flower bed as defined in the constating resolution. (2) To amend Section 364 by adding thereto new sub-section (17a): (17a> Defining and regulating the use of and protecting any grass plot or flower bed heretofore or hereafter laid out in any street by or with the authority of the Council.” Land for Parking That the time was coming when local authorities would have to acquire land for parking purposes w’as an opinion expressed by several members when Nelson City Council introduced the following remit: “That the Government be urged to give local bodies express statutory power to acquire land for parking areas and to make charges in respect of the use thereof.” In sponsoring the remit, Mr Page (Nelson) said New Zealand local bodies were not allowed to buy areas of land to construct parking areas, whereas the English Act permitted it. The remit would bring New Zealand into conformity with the English law.

Mr Bailey (Auckland) described the remit as timely, stating that the time was coming when all local authorities would require areas both for parking and for the transport termini. Mr Andrews (Christchurch) said that surely local bodies now had that power. Mr O’Shea said he knew of no power in existence at present. It was most necessary that the remit should be passed. The remit was approved. Licensing of Hawkers Dealing with hawkers, Port Chalmers submitted a remit as follows: “That the Municipal Corporations Act be amended to provide for the payment by hawkers of a uniform annual fee throughout New Zealand, such fee to be payable to each local body concerned in one sum on the issue of the annual license; further, that the Act clearly define a hawker.” (Note: The Port Chalmers Borough Council suggests that the annual fee be £l/1/- for boroughs and £5/5/- for cities, and that no license for a lesser period than one year be issued to hawkers.) The remit was moved by Mr Scolloy (Port Chalmers) and seconded by Mr Fleming (Balclutha).

Mr Mansford (Palmerston North) said during the depression many reputable citizens had been compelled to take out hawkers’ licenses to earn a living by going from door to door. It would be a hardship to make them pay the license fee in one sum, as many of them would not be able to find it except by quarterly instalments. Several speakers pointed out that it was diming times of depression that small shop-keepers should be protected against hawkers. On the suggestion of Mr Vinnell, the remit and others on the same subject, were referred to the executive.

Devonport Borough Council moved: “That the Government be urged to amend legislation to facilitate the disposal of leasehold sections more economically, and in particular that Section 159 a be amended to provide that leases may be sold by private contract at the reserve rent within three years from the date upon which the lease is offered by public tender.”

The remit was defeated. A remit fom Dannevirke was: 'That for the purpose of giving borough and county councils a lead in airways development along the right lines, the Government be requested to have carried out a survey of the whole of the Dominion by its technical air advisers and officers and that plans be prepared and made available to every borough and county council.” Mr Morse (Napier) expressed the opinion that the time had come when a survey should be made of the whole Dominion. They were now staggering under taxation and if every small town was to have an aerodrome the taxpayers would have to pay. He seconded the motion. The remit was carried. Mr Nash Quoted “That the definition of ‘rateable property’ in the Rating Act, 1925, and Section 392 (1) of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, be amended so that a local body should have power to rate private owners of premises where such premises are leased wholly or partially to the Crown,” was a remit submitted by Auckland City Council. The president quoted from Hansard a statement by Hon. Walter Nash (Minister of Finance), speaking in 1935 as a member of the Opposition on the Mortgage Corporation Bill. Mr Nash then described the clause permitting the Crown to escape liability for rates as “one of the most vicious ever written into any Bill because It compels one section of the community to pay for services rendered to another section, whereas the responsibility should rest with the Crown. It is unjust, unfair and vicious that the Crown should escape liability for services rendered to it. ... It is iniquitous, it is unjust, and the Minister knows it. He knows that it is immoral.” Mr Jordan said that the remits went to the Treasury, but he thought that on this occasion they would have to go past the Treasury to the Minister of Finance. “I think we have something to put up to him,” he added. The remit was adopted. The following remit from Mount Eden Borough Council was carried: “That Section 69 of the Rating Act should be amended to provide that no remission of rates should be allowed where the owner has made no effort to let the property at a reasonable rental.” Water Supply Schemes Having as its object the protection of local authorities and property owners, the following remit was proposed by Wellington City Council: “That in order to do justice to riparian

owners, particularly tanners affected by the impounding of water for water supply, and preserve their rights to water, and, in order to protect local authorities constructing waterworks from having to pay unnecessarily large sums for compensation, provision be made to enable local authorities to impound water without paying compensation to riparian owners under license to be granted by a competent tribunal.”

Mr O’Shea explained that the problem was very important, because local bodies were learning that if they took areas at the headwaters of any stream or river to impound water, and thus affected lower riparian owners through preventing them from obtaining an adequate supply of water, the local authorities became liable for claims for compensation. Consequently ' local bodies might be overwhelmed by compensation as one North Island body had been, involving thousands of pounds. If a tribunal functioned, no compensation would be paid because where the interests of riparian owners were likely to be damaged, local authorities would not be permitted to Impound water. In view of the present development of civic administration and the number of inland towns in the North Island, it was necessary action should be taken as advocated in the remit, which he claimed would dispense with compensation claims and be fair and equitable to the local authorities and riparian owners. The remit was carried. Crown Property Balclutha moved: “That the existing legislation be amended to enable local bodies to levy rates on Crown property used in connection with professional services or trading undertankings, e.g., Public Trust Offices, insurance offices, buildings used in connection with lorry and bus services, etc.” Mr D. T. Fleming moved the remit, and said that there was a wide opinion that all Government property should be subject to local taxation. He did not suggest that post offices and railway stations should be taxed, but those mentioned in the remit should be subject to taxation. The president said that part of the remit was already in operation. The remit was carried. Public Reserves A Christchurch remit was: "That Section 2 of the Rating Act 1925 be amended by adding the following exemption (m): —(in) Squares, open spaces, parks, reserves, recreation reserves, pleasure-grounds, gardens and playing-grounds vested in Municipal Corporations." Note.—lt has been the practice of this Council in the past not to pay rates upon land set aside as public parks, recreation grounds, open spaces, etc., but we have now been advised by the Valuation DepartmerfE" that such properties are not exempt from payment of rates. The president said that the matter had been referred to the executive and they had taken it up with the Department. A reply was received from the Department that the representations would be considered. Auctioneers’ Act Ohakune brought forward the following remit: “That auction licenses be collected by the Government and divided among boroughs, town board, etc., and distributed on a pro rata basis.” The motion was moved by Mr L. W. Nation, who said that they had no auctioneers in Ohakune and it was suggested that the Government should collect the fees and distribute them pro rata. The remit was lost. The Executive Committee remit read: “(1) That a more equitable system of distributing auctioneers’ licenses among the local authorities in New Zealand than is provided under the Auctioneers Act, 1928, whereby auctioneers are permitted to nominate the local authority to receive the license fee, be provided by—(a) defining “place of business”; and (b) limiting the selection of the place of business to those named in the application.” The president said that the remit had gone to the Government, and they had replied that the Department of Internal Affairs did not approve it. Auctioneers’ Licenses Christchurch moved: “That the Auctioneers Act be amended to provide that where only one license is applied for, the applicant shaU nominate the local authority where his principal place of business is situate to receive the license fee.” Mr J. W. Beanland said that they had had trouble in Christchurch because they had auctioneers who had their business in the city, but who lived in a suburb or adjacent borough, and they paid the fee to the suburb or borough. They felt that the Act should be amended. Mr G. Dash said that a firm with headquarters in Christchurch had one license and operated in Waimate. Christchurch got the fee and Waimate did the work. It was robbery. The president said it was a question of having the place of business properly defined. Mr Beanland said that if the matter was not lost sight of they would be satisfied. The president: There is a great deal in what Mr Dash has said, for all sorts of subterfuges are being resorted to. Mr Andrews said that it was not intended to ask for all tHb fees. Mr B. R. Macdonald (Geraldine), supported Mr Dash. He said that many of the firms had their headquarters in Tlmaru and did most of their busmess in the country towns, but Tlmaru got the fees. The remit was lost. Electrical Undertakings A Tauranga remit read: “That this conference is of the opinion that unless it can be pioved that an electrical supply authority is incapable of conducting the management of its electrical supply, to the satisfaction of the consumers, the Government be asked to gave an assurance not to interfere in the control of such electrical supply.” Mr L. R. Wilkinson said they had

endeavoured to avoid expressing any views which were extreme or harassing to the Government. They knew that there had been continual agitation from some quarters for Government control of electrical undertakings and if some 'action was not taken, this might.come about. They saw a danger, and it was that in the event of the Government taking over one locality, it might become universal. The people of Tauranga had £170,000 invested in hydroI electric works, and he was convinced that no other controlling authority could do as well or better than the Tauranga Borough Council. They should have a guarantee that they will be able to continue their operations without interference. Where the people were contented, he contended there was a goodwill in the business, and it would be wise to leave well alone.

Ml’ C. O. Morse (Napier) said that the remit would be supported by the Municipal Electric Supply Association. The president suggested that the words "to the satisfaction of the consumers” should be deleted, and the words “efficiently controlled" substituted.

Mr G. Dash (Waimate) said that as a chairman of a Power Board lie regretted that a remit of the kind had come forward. After having listened to the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Public Works it would be offering an insult to them to pass such a remit until they had brought down their reports on the electrical undertakings of the Dominion. It would be better to wait rather than stage a dog fight that afternoon. The president: I am afraid we have exhausted our speakers. Even Mr Dash has spoken. 'Laughter). The remit was carried on the voices. Interest Rates The Auckland Transport Board moved: "This conference is of the opinion that the burden of oversea indebtedness as affecting local bodies is greater than economic conditions warrant, and an equitable adjustment of interest playments having regard to the Dominion’s diminished income is imperative. Particularly in the case of the larger local bodies the payment of interest in London represents a considerable proportion of local body commitments. The conference is fully cognisant of the gravity of this proposal, but the circumstances warrant the Government in entering into negotiations with oversea lenders with a view to obtaining relief.” Mr W. H. Hall (Timaru) said he considered that the remit should be thrown out as it was a disgrace to a body such as the one they were on. Having given their bond, the people of New Zealand should stick to it. Mr Hall was supported by Mr W. Appleton (Wellington) who said that the credit of New Zealand stood very high overseas. Mr C. O. Morse (Napier), moved an amendment that consideration be deferred, and this was seconded by Mr D. Anderton (Auckland). The amendment was carried by 50 votes to 44. Sinking Fund Commissioners Christchurch moved: “That Section 41 of ‘the Local Bodies Loans Act, 1926’ be amended by the addition of the following clause:—The commissioners may by way of remuneration be paid out of the sinking funds in their hands such a sum as may be agreed upon from time to time between the local body and the commissioners, but in no case shall exceed £2OO in any one year. Provided always that no person being a Mayor, chairman, councillor, or member of the local body, shall receive or participate in any such remuneration.”

Mr J. W. Beanland said that the matter was a very simple one. Those handling big sums should receive some payment. Mr E. H. Andrews (Christchurch) seconded the motion, and pointed out that the £2OO was not for each person, but should be distributed.

The Rev. E. T. Cox (Dunedin) opr isecl the motion, stating that as a general rule, the commissioners would be Mayors, councillors or town clerks. The duties of commissioners were small, and it would be unifair to pay outside commissioners and not councillors. Equal rights for all ar.d special favours for none. The remit was defeated. Petrol Tax Allocation An Auckland remit read: “That the whole question of the basis of distribution of fees under the Heavy Motor Vehicles Regulations be reviewed and a more equitable basis of distribution as between the various classes of local authorities devised." The president said that the Hon. R. Sempl" had told him that he agreed that the allocation of the petrol tax was unfair, and that he would attend to it. In February he wrote at length to the Minister, asking if he would give the matter consideration before conference sat. On March 3 the Minister replied stating that he was not yet in a position to state what the Government’s attitude was. As soon as he was in a position to do so he would make a pronouncement. Petrol Tax The following remit came from the Auckland Transport Board: “That in each borough where there is a tramway undertaking that maintains a portion of the streets, such tramway undertaking shall receive a share of the petrol tax allocated to the borough and such share shall be in proportion to the area of the streets so maintained in the borough provided that tramway undertakings shares shall not be allocated from the amount at present allocated to boroughs.” Mr McClintock moved the resolution, stating that they had to maintain 86 miles of double tram tracks and they contended they should have an extra allowance. The president said that Auckland would receive double what Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin would receive. His idea was that the Auckland Transport Board’s share should come out of the Auckland City allocation. The remit was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it. Grading of Meat Dannevirke moved: “That meat inspectors be empowered to grade for quality all stock slaughtered at municipal abattoirs." Mr E. Gibbard said that the idea was to give the inspector power to classify if the local body so desired it. The remit was carried. Tuberculin Test for Cows Gore moved the following remit: "That the Government be requested to

pass legislation making it compulsory for all dairy herds to be tested each year, before allowing milk to be sold in any city or borough within the Dominion, and that no license be issued until the certificate is produced." The president stated that the Department of Agriculture had not approved the remit. Mr Morse: Can you tell us why? The president: They stated that financial considerations entered into the matter, but the executive had replied stating that where the health of the people was concerned, finance should not enter into the matter. Mr Morse said that the Napier City Council had passed a by-law in the matter, but it was being contested. The case was heard a few days ago, and decision had been reserved. The Department was awaiting the decision. Mr Jackson (Rotorua) urged conference to pass the remit. He said he took it that it was the Minister of Agriculture and not Health had not approved. He could speak with authority on the matter, and it was essential that the public should be protected, particularly in view of the Government’s policy of issuing milk free to school children. Letters were read by the secretary from the Minister of Health stating that the matter was receiving the careful consideration of the Government.

Mr H. F. Meikle (Devonport) said that he did not consider that bovine T.B. was as serious a menace as mammits, which was rampant in the country. The best milk supply in the Dominion to-day was worse than the worst water supply. That -was a hard statement to make, but it was true. The president said that they were glad to have any evidence conference could give them when they met the departmental committees.