THE COUNTIES ACT.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume 6, Issue 508, 30 November 1876, Page 2

THE COUNTIES ACT.

The Evening Argos in referring to the permissive clauses in the Counties Act observes: —lt is provided in the Financial Arrangements Act that if the Council fail to meet and execute the powers given them within section 68 of the Counties Act that the Governor may appoint a commissioner who “ shall, after due inquiry, determine the proportionate part of the said moneys which shall be paid to or in respect of each such road district or outlying district, ’’ and in respect of the latter the Colonial Treasurer is authorised to pay moneys so allotted to a person appointed for the purpose by the Governor. It will be seen, therefore, that the Act is permissive so far that if the residents in the County so desire it, the entire management of roads, bridges, and public works will remain with the Boad Boards, as at constituted, and, as a natural consequence, the entire administration of their present rates, whilst revenues accruing to the County under the Counties Act and the other Acts embodied with it, will be distributed in accordance with the resolution of the County Council—if they choose to act in the matter — amongst the Road Boards mJ outlying dis; tricts. If the Council do not choose to act, then, practically, these functions will devolve upon the Government. What wo would especially wish to point out, is this, that it rests with the pretent ratepayers whether they will avail themselves of the provisions of the Act or remain practically in statu quo, and they will have to express their opinions in the way they record their votesat the ensuing election for County Councillors. When cnee these are. elected, the matter is in their hands, and if they pass a resolution by a clear majority of the whole Council, that the whole of the Act shall come into operation, this decision is absolutely final, as it is expressly provided that such resolution cannot thereafter be altered or rescinded by the Council. It is unnecessary for ns therefore to dwell upon the extreme importance to all the country districts of the action which may be taken by their representatives in this matter, and ve trust that no narrow-minded prejudices or selfish considerations may sway the minds of the electors in exercising the franchise, and that intelligence and patriotism may form the characteristics of the newly formed Councils,