MUNICIPAL BILL.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19125, 9 December 1933, Page 5

MUNICIPAL BILL.

COMMITTEE’S AMENDMENT AMALGAMATION OF BOROUGHS. COMPULSION ELIMINATED. WELLINGTON, Friday. The elimination of the provision for the compulsory amalgamation of boroughs is the principal amendment to the Municipal Corporations Bill, as It was reported back to the House today by the Looal Bills Committee. By another amendment to the bill municipalities are empowered to lay out grass plots or flower-beds on any street and to prohibit trafflo from passing over these beds. The clause giving a council power to require owners of lands In certain cases to provide private drains is amended so that no owner shall be required to construct a private drain to connect with a public drain or the sea at a point more than 100 ft. from his land, or to construct any private drain for the drainage of a building of a length of more than 200 ft. A council’s powers regarding dangerous buildings are extended by another amendment, which declares that a council may use its powers if it is satisfied that any building Is in such a condition as to be dangerous to the public. It is now provided that the expenses Incurred by a council on unoccupied land which, the owner being unknown, is liable to pay shall become a charge on the land and shall for all purposes be regarded as a separate rate. Two amendments of some Importance are made to clauses in the bill dealing with a council’s powers to make by-laws fixing building lines. The original bill provided that any person having an interest in any land or building affected by these by-laws should be entitled to claim compensation, and that the total amount of compensation should not exceed the difference between the value of the whole of the land or building before dedication or the taking of the portion, and value of the remainder afterwards. According to the committee’s amendment the words “or buildings" are omitted in each place, and it is provided that the total compensation shall not exceed the difference between the value of the remainder exclusive of buildings, after dedication or taking of any portion of the land.