RATEPAYERS VOTING AT ELECTIONS FOR CATCHMENT BOARDS

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 October 1947, Page 6

RATEPAYERS VOTING AT ELECTIONS FOR CATCHMENT BOARDS

ANOMALY IN LEGISLATION (S.R.) MARTON, Oct. 2. The question of the maximum number of votes a county ratepayer was entitled to exercise at a catchment board election, when ridings of the county were included in a catchment district, was raised recently by the Rangitikei County Council, which received a reply at its monthly meeting to-day from the chairman of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Mr. W. L. Newnham.

- Mr. Newnham stated that in the circumstances the council was advised to act ih accordance with the legal opinion given by the adviser to the New Zealand Counties Association.

"It was intended that no county ratepayer could exercise more than three votes in a catchment board election, but in view of the legal opinion obtained from the solicitor to the Counties' Association, it is doubtful if this is the legal position. Steps will be taken by the Soil Conservation Council to have this anomaly rectified at the first opportunity, but no indication can be given as to whether or not suitable amending legislation will be passed this year.’’ The county clerk (Mr. F. L. Nicol) said that the position was rather confusing. At present a ratepayer with property qualifications in different ridings could exercise several votes at a catchment board election. This was the ruling of the Counties Assocition solicitor already referred to, but at a county election the ratepayer was limited to three votes.

It had been suggested that this position be put to the Minister o£ Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) at question lime in the House of Representatives, and it was possible that the legislation might be amended before the elections in November, Mr. Nicol added.

In reply to a question he explained that if a ratepayer had the necessary qualifications, for example, in each of the 10 county ridings, he could exercise as many as 30 votes for the Catchment Board. Apparently the situation had been brought about by an oversight when the legislation was being framed.