INTERESTS TO LOCAL BODIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18248, 5 August 1921, Page 4

INTERESTS TO LOCAL BODIES

i A PECULIAR* POINT. i (Per i'ress Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 4. I A peculiar position relating to ! local bodies has been disclosed under I the Act of 1920, setting up the Otago South Hosplial Board. T.. x | new board made a claim against y Otago Hospital Board, from whit I it was separated, for £41,000. T 1 z ! separation act provided that the Government should apportion the property, debts and liabilities of the two boards. On receipt, of this claim the Minister for Hospitals referred it to Mr J. W. Boynton, S.M., Auckland. and Mr C. G. Collins, Audit Inspector. These two gentlemen have now furnished the Minister (Mr Parr) with a report which awards £13,958 to the South Otago Board. The commissioners, however, raise some doubt as to whether the term ‘•property" used in the | Separation Act can be considered techincaliy to include an award of ! money of this nature. They suggest that the point will have to be ! considered by the Government law officers. “I have discussed with the Crown law officers," Baid the Minister, “this doubt of the commissioners as to whether the term “property” as used in the Act includes such an award of money. The Crown law officers are also of opinion that an Order-ln-Council on the lines recommended by the commissioners would robably be ultra vires. To meet such a contingency t.he commissioners recommend the confirmation of the report by legislation.”