LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES. (FURTHER REPLIES TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED TO LOCAL BODIES.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1882 Session I, A-10a

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1882. NEW ZEALAND.

LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES. (FURTHER REPLIES TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED TO LOCAL BODIES.)

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

{§§1° Counties 'are distinguished by italics; Road Boards within counties by being printed in inner margin.

1. Should County Chairmen be elected as Mayors are ?

3fon(/onui — Whangaroa North—Yes. Oruaiti—No. Mongonui—Yes. Bay of Islands —That they should be elected as Mayors are. Whangarei — Kauriliohori —No answer. Mangapai —This is a cumbrous piece of machinery. In this county (Whangarei) the Is. rate has been swallowed up by officials more than once. It must be very much simplified or done away wit h altogether. Maungakaramea—No. Ruatangata—No. Waipu North—No. Whangarei—No answer. Hobson —No ; present method of election satisfactory so far as this county is concerned. Rodney — Albertland North —No answer. Komokoriki —Yes. Matakana East—No. Wctitemata — Devonport—Abolish the counties altogether. Devonport (W. H. Fenton) —Yes ; so long as the counties exist. Pukeatua—No. Waitakerei East—Yes; by< the ratepayers. Eden —No, Manukau — Awhitu—No answer. Pokeno —County Councils should be done away with. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.) —No.

Wailcato — Cambridge—No. Waipa —No. Mangapiko—No ; unless where paid. Ngaruawahia Town—-No ; Bhould be elected by Council. I'ukekura—No. Haglan — Newcastle—No. Whakalane — Opotiki—'No. Tauranga —No TaranaTci — Waiwakaiho—Let it bo optional with the county. Oakura—The present mode of election for Boards is bad, and ought to be done in the old simple way. Mangarei (J. T, Upjohn) —No. Patea — Wairoa —-No answer. Manatoatu — Manchester—No. Bangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —No. Wairarapa East —No. Castlepoint—No. Wairarapa West — Masterton—No. Waimea —■ Suburban North —No. Amuri —No. Marlborough — Havelock —No. Kaikoura —No ; think present system best. Kaikoura —No. Seltoyn — Avon—No.

Malvern—No. Rakaia—No ; consider the present mode of election the most suitable for this provincial district. Spreydon—No. Springs—No. Tipper Waimakariri—No. Kllesmere —County Chairmen should be elected as they are at present. Afcaroa —No. Ashburton — South Rakaia—No ; present system to be adhered to. Longbeach—No. Upper Ashburton—No. Geraldine — Levels—No. Levels (Chairman) —No; Waimate —-No. Waitaki— Otepopo—The present system of electing County Chairmen is satisfacory. Vincent —Yes; and for a term of three years. Lake —No ; consider present system good. Peninsula — Portobello—County Chairmen should not be elected as Mayors are, as present system is preferable. Taieri— Seaside —Yes. Taieri—No ; the present system is preferable. Bruce — Kaitangata—No. Clutha— Clutha—The present system works very well.

2. Should counties be enabled to split up or amalgamate, or otherwise alter their boundaries, without the consent of Parliament, as is now required ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North —By majority of ratepayers only. Oruaiti —No. Mongonui—No answer.

Bay of Islands —To remain as at present, and any alteration desired to be referred to Parliament. Whangarei — Kuarihohori—No answer.

Mangapai—No answer. Maungakaramea—Yes. Ruatangata—No. Waipu North—Yes. Whangarei—No answer.

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Mohson —Yea; this is much needed in regard to Hobson County. Modney — Albertland North —No answer. Komokoriki —Counties should have the power without consulting Parliament. Matakana East—No ; power should be given to road districts to leave counties, or merge into them, as the ratepayers deem fit. TVaitemata — Devonport—No answer. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)—Certainly not. Pukeatua —Yes ; by majority of ratepayers. "Waitakerei Eaßt—No. Eden— No. Manukau — Awhitu —No answer. Fokeno—No answer. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—No. Waihato — Cambridge—No. Wdipa —Yes ; but only by a majority of two-thirds of the ratepayers consenting. Mangnpiko—Yes ; by a majority of two-thirds of the ratepayers. Ngaruawahia Town —Yes; on the vote of two-thirds of ratepayers. Pukekura—Yes ; on petition of threefourths of the ratepayers. Raglan- — Newcastle —Yes. Whakatane— Opotiki—Yes. Tauranga —Yea.

Question 2— continued. TaranaTci — Waiwakaiho—No. Oakura— Do away witli County Councils, and let Government manage all i main line of roads. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn) —No. Patea —■ Wairoa—No answer. ! Manawatu — ! Manchester —Yes. Hangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon—No. Wairarapa East — Sufficient power is already given. Approval of Parliament necessary. Castlepoint—No. Wairarapa West — Masterton—Should Government subsidies be curtailed or cease altogether, the portions of counties containing roads passing through nonratepaying land would be cast off and roads closed. The answer to this must be No. Waimea — Suburban North —No. Amuri —No. Marlborough — liavelock —No. Kaikoura —No. Kaikoura —No ; as at present. Selwyn — Avon —Yes ; on petition from twothirds of the ratepayers. Malvern—No. Rakaia —No. Spreydon —No.

Springs—No. Upper Waimakariri—No. Ellesmere —Yea ; provided tliat a majority of the ratepayers are in favour of so doing. AJcaroa —No. Asliburion — South Rataia—No. Longbeaeh—No. Upper Ashburton—No. Geraldiyie — Levels—Yes. Levels (Chairman) —Yes ; subject to the consent of a majority of ratepayers, but reserving action by Parliament in oases of noil-agree-ment. Waimate —Yea. WaitaU— Otepopo—The consent of Parliament should be required to enable counties to split up, or amalgamate, or otherwise alter their boundaries. Vincent —No. Lake —No. Peninsula — Portobello—Counties should not be allowed to split up or amalgamate without consent of Parliament. Taieri— Seaside—No; Parliament should be consulted. Taieri—No. Bruce — Kaitangata—No. Clutha — Clutha—Yes.

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8. Should the road districts in each county form the ridings of the county ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North—Yes. Oruaiti —No. Mongonui —Yes. Say of Islands —Not applicable to this county. Whangarei — Kaurihohori—No answer. Mangapai—No answer. Maungakaramea—Where the road districts are large enough. Ruatangata—No. Waipu North —Now road districts are too small. Whangarei—No answer. ttdbson —Yes. j&odney — Albertland North—Not necessary, or the whole affair will need recasting. Komokoriki—No. Matakana East —In some cases the right of determining to be left with the ratepayers. Waitemata — Devonport—-No answer. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)—Yes. Pukeotua—Yes. Waitakerei East—No. Eden —Not necessarily. JUanukau — Awhitu —No answer. Pokeno—No. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—No. WaiJcato — Cambridge—Yes. Waipa —Yes. Town districts not to claim as such, but to be part of the original districts from which they were severed. Mangapiko— Yes ; except town districts; and they should be joined to the original district;

Ngaruawahia Town—Yes. Pukekura—Yes. Raglan — Newcastle—Yes ; in country districts. Whalcatane — Opotiki—Yes. Tauranga —Yes. Xaranaki — Waiwakaiho—No ; it "would be most unfair on our part. Oakura—So long as county exists, Yes. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn)—The number of ridings should be fixed by Parliament) and each riding should elect a Councillor. Patea — Wairoa —No answer. Manawatu —■ Manchester —One or more. Hanrfitihei — Sandon and Carnarvon—Not necessarily. Wairarapa East —Where practicable. Castlepoint—As far as practicable. Wairarapa West — Masterton —This would simplify matters, but would be found practicable in very few cases. Waimea — Suburban North—lf convenient. Amuri —No. UTarlborough — Havelock—No. Kaikoura —Not in all cases. Kaikoura—Not in all eases. Sehayn — Avon —No ; as the road districts are in many instances two small. Malvern—Yes. Rakaia—No j in this county, should

each Road Board be a riding, and return members, the Council would be unnecessarily large. Spreydon—As at present. Springs—No. Upper Waimakariri —Road Boards in Selwyn County too small. EUesmere—No ; the boundaries of the ridings should be defined upon the basis of rateable value. ATcaroa —No. Ashburton — South Rakaia—Yes. Longbeach—Not necessarily. Upper Ashburton—Yes ; subject to the suburbs of any town being a riding round such town. Q-eraldine —■ Levels—-Yes. Levels (Chairman) —Desirable to be so. Waimate —Yes. WaitaJci —- Otepopo—Road districts should not necessarily form the ridings of a county. Vincent —No road districts in Vincent. Lake —Yes. Peninsula —- Portobello —The road districts should always form the ridings of a county. Taieri — Seaside —Yes. Taieri—Yes; each road district should be made a riding. Bruce — Kaitangata—Road districts should aa far as possible form ridings of counties. Clutha— Clutha—Not always.

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4. Would you suggest any alteration in the mode of electing the Councillors ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North —Annually ; not as at present. Oruaiti—No. Mongonui —No answer. Bay of Islands —Have nothing to recommend. Think the present system has ■worked well. Whangarei — Kaurihohori—No answer. Mangapai—No answer. Maungakaramea*—lt would be cheaper and answer every purpose, to elecs the Councillors at an open meeting same as members of Eoad Boards. Should be elected annually. Ruatangata—No answer. Waipu North —The present mode I think is the best and cheapest, and as long as counties exist it should be carried out. Whangarei—No answer. Hobson —No; the Local Elections Act meets all cases. Clause 6of this Act, re Returning Officers, should be altered to, " There shall be a Returning Officer for each riding in the county." This can be done with little expense by the appointment of reliable local men. Rodney — Albertland North —No answer. Komokoriki—-No. Matakana Eaßt. —No. Waitemata — Devonport—No answer. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)—No ;I do not think it can be improved upon. Pukeatua —No. Waitakerei East —No answer. Eden— No. Manukau — Awhitu—No answer. Pokeno—No answer. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—Not any. Waikato — Cambridge —We are of opinion that

it would be both, economical and satisfactory if members of County Councils were nominated by Boards. Waipa —No. Mangapiko—-Remain as at present. Ngaruawahia Town —-No. Pukekura —None. Raglan— ■ . Newcastle —No. Whalcatane — Opotiki—No. Tauranga —No. Taranaki — Waiwakaiho—No. Oakura—Present mode of election is too expensive, and quite unnecessary. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn)—All local bodies should be openly elected, as by the present method persons are elected of whom nothing is known of their opinion on local matters. Pa tea —■ Wairoa —No answer. Ma nawatu —■ Manchester —Yes. Rangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —The present system suits very well. W^airarapa East — Consider that the present system is satisfactory. Caailepoint—No. Wairarapa West — Masterton —The present system seems to work very fairly. Waimea — Suburban North —Same as clauses 9, 30, 11, "Nelson Highways Act, 1872." dmuri —No. Marlborongh — Havelock —No. Kaikuura —No. Kaikoura —No. Sehoyn — Avon —That one-third should retire annually.

Malvern —No. Eakaia —Think that one-third of the members of the Council should retire annually, so that there might be more continuity in the body, Spreydon—Satisfied at the present arrangement. Springs—No. Upper Waimakariri—No. Ellesmere—No. Akaroa —The present system appears very suitable to this county. Ashbnrton — South Rakaia—No. Longbeach—No. Upper Ashburton —No. Geraldine — Levels —Nine to form Council; threa members to retire annually. Levels (Chairman) —No ; except to have order of retiring arranged in rotation, so as to keep continuity of local knowledge and administration. Waimate —No. Waitaki— Otepopo—The present system of electing Councillors is satisfac* tory. Vincent —No. hake —No. Peninsula — Portobello—No; present system works very well. Taieri — Seaside —No. Taieri —One-third retire annually. Bruce — Kaitanga —No alteration in the elections of Councillors is recommended. Clutha— Clutlia—The present mode is satisfactory.

5. Can you suggest any new duties which should be imposed, or new powers which should be conferred, on counties, more especially as to power of making by-laws ?

3£ongonni — Whangaroa North —All new powers or duties to be left in the hands of the : people. Oruaiti—No. Mongonui—No answer. Bay of Islands —lt is the opinion of the j Council that counties should have power to disqualify defaulting ratepayers ; and that they should have power to make i by-laws to that effect. "Whangarei — Kaurihohori —No answer. Mangapai—No answer. Maungakaramea—No answer. Kuataugata—No answer. Waipu North—The counties should have power to manage their own internal affairs, and it should be op- I tional with them in regard to dogtax licenses and other small matters. Whangaroi—No answer. Hohson —Clause 183, section 4, of Counties Act gives ample power in respect to making by-laws. Power should be given to take land for purposes of main roads or roads to wharf and landings by a less costly proeeedurc than now required, and to simplify the taking of roads. The Licensing Commission for the county should be transferred to the Council, who are the parties most interested, and who collect and disburse the fees for county purposes; and suggest that in country districts the Licensing Commissioners be the members of the County i Council, '.this will save election expen- i

ses and other charges, and the publicans will have only to deal with the Council in the matter of licenses, &c, instead of having to apply to three different parties or Courts, as at present. Rodney — Albertland North —No answer. Komokorlki —No answer. Matakana East —Power should be given to Highway Boards to compel absentee owners of property to contribute something towards the making of new roads to their property. WaUemata —■ Devonport—No answer. Devonport (W. H. Fenton) —In my opinion the whole system should be abolished. Pukeatua—No. Waitakerei Bast—No answer. Eden —No answer. Manulcau — Awhitu—No answer. Pokeno—No. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—They have already too many dutio3 or powers. Waikato — Cambridge—We would suggest that all matters of local government should be intrusted to the counties (with the exception of Road Board duties), such aa licensing, police, education (with power to charge a fee, say not exceeding Gd. per head, for children attending school) hospitals, charitable aid, waste lands,

main roads and bridges (always exclusive of roads or streets within the limits of a borough or town district) dog-tax, sheep inspection, and taxing licenses to shoot or hunt game, &c. Waipa —The Councils should be the licensing authorities both for publicans' and general licenses, and should have control of expenditure on hospital and charitable aid ; the charges being made on a regular scale, according to the amount of cost each district has incurred, and should have control over the hospital and other endowments in the county. That there be no by-laws, but a definite code of procedure, by which all districts should be bound. Mangapiko —Councils should be the licensing authorities ; should have control of all endowments. Ngaruawahia Town —Would not give counties any more powers whatever. Would rather curtail those they have got of levying rates in Road Board districts Pukekura —Counties should have control of expenditure on hospitals and charitable aid, which now forms so heavy a deduction from the subsidies, without the ratepayers knowing anything of the reasons. Such charges should be based on the actual expenditure incurred by each county as far as possible. Counties Bhould in all questions conneoted with Eoad

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Boards be able to settle all such questions as now have to go to the Colonial Secretary. As to by-laws, counties should have little or no power. As far as possible one code should be made for conduct of business. Raglan — Newcastle —No ; abolish County Councils, and give more power to Eoad Boards. Whale atane — Opotiki—Counties should have administration of waste lands within their area, with consent of the Governor. Tuaranga —Counties should have administration of waste lands within their area, subject to the consent of the Governor. Waste Lands Boards nominated by the Crown should be abolished. TaTanalci — Waiwakaiho —That they should have the power of collecting the road rates for any road district so deBiring, on payment of 2J- percent. Oakura—Sweep them away entirely. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn) —I think it best counties should be only administrative bodies, and that their duties should be clearly defined by Parliament, especially with regard to turnpikes. There are here district roads' on which one has to pay 2d. per mile for every mile you travel on a county road to a centre of population on horseback ; outside which pike you can travel about for fifty miles without paying anything from oue centre of population to another. Patea —■ Wairoa —No answer. Manawatu — Manchester—To make by-laws regulating the width of tires on vehicles plying on roads within the county. JlangiWcei — Sandon and Carnarvon —No. Wairarapa Hast —lncreased power should be given to regulate traffic on roads. Castlepoint —Should have power to

Question s—continued.5 — continued. make by-laws regulating traffic on roads, especially with respect to the width of tires used on conveyances. Wairarapa TVest — Masterton —They should possess power to levy tolls, regulate the width of tires on vehicles carrying beyond a given weight, and generally to regulate traffic ; power to raise loan on behalf of any section of county, and levy rate on such section, providing interest on same. Waimea — Suburban North —No. Amuri —Not at present. Marlborough — Havelock —No. Kaikoura —No. Kaikoura —No. Seltm/n — Avon —All County Councils be compelled to take over and maintain all arterial lines of road in their respective counties. Malvern —No. Eakaia —No answer. Spreydon—The Board would suggest that any by-laws made by County Councils affecting local bodies should receive the previous consent of the local bodies concerned. Springs—Yes; such as trespass of cattle, registration of dogs in respect to fees, small-birds nuisance. Upper Waimakariri — Appointing Trustees of Cemeteries, recreation Boards, &c, so as to save time and trouble. Ellesmere — The powers at present conferred upon Licensing Commitmittees should be transferred to County Councils. All tramway reserves, especially those in the Ellesmere District, should be vested in the County Councils, with a view to their control being handed over to the Eoad Boards. Alcaroa —No answer. Ashburton — South Rakaia—No. Longbeach—No. Upper Ashburton —No answer.

Geraldine — Levels —No. Levels (Chairman) —Counties should have more general administrative powers, and relieve Parliament from present excess of local demands for works, &c. Waimate —No. WaitaU— Otepopo—Counties should have more power to regulate traffic on roads by regulating width of tires. They should be the licensing body for the county, subject to the local-option clauses. Vincent —The Council have none to suggest. Lake —Yes ; vest in them, if the Licensing Act is continued, local powers to administer same. Give them power to support mining and other industries. Give them full powers under proposed Eating Bill to tax Crown lauds. Peninsula — Portobello — The County Councils should form Licensing Committees outside boroughs. Have power to expend Council votes on other than county roads j have control over the small-birds pest; and large } owers generally for the framing and passing of by-laws on local subjects. Taieri— Seaside —No answer. Taieri —The County Councils should have power to make laws comfortable for the ratepayers in the districts which they preside over, especially the control over the rabbit and bird pests. Bruce — Kaitangata—County Councils Bhould form Licensing Committees outside boroughs. Clutha— C'lutha —The counties should have power to frame by-laws, and also to carry out elections under the Licensing Act; also to carry out the Kabbit and Sheep Acts.

6. Should the counties be enabled to create new road districts or alter existing ones of their own motion, or only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers ?

Mongonui —■ Whangaroa North—On petition of ratepayers only. Oruaiti —Only on petition of ratepayers. Mongonui—On petition of ratepayers. Bay of Islands —Does not apply to this county. WAangarei —■ Kaurihohori —No answer. Mangapai—By the majority of ratepayers. Maungakaramea—Upon petition of the majority of I lie ratepayers. Euatangata—The power of creating new road districts or altering existing ones should be in the hands of a majority of ratepayers, and exercised by them by petition to Colonial Secretary. Waipu North—The counties should not have the power without the consent of the ratepayers. Whangarei—No answer. Hohson —This should be left to (he ratepayers. Rodney — Albertland North —Counties ought not to have any voice in the matter. Komokoriki —County Councils should only have the power to create new

road districts or alter existing ones on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers in the districts the alterations would affect. Matakana East —The power of altering existing road districts or creating new ones should be left to the discretion of the ratepayers. Wctitemata — Devonport—No answer. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)—On the petition of ratepayers only: Pukeatua—Only on petition, of a majority of the ratepayers. Waitakerei East —Only on petition of a majority of ratepayers. Eden —We think the law should remain as at present. Manukau — Awhitu —No answer. Pokeno —Neither. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—Only on a petition of the majority of the ratepayers. Waikato — Cambridge—Only on petition of the ratepayers. Waipa —Yes ; but only on a petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Mangapiko —Yes ; by petition of twothirds of the ratepayers.

Ngaruawahia Town —Yes; but only on the petition of two-thirds of the resident ratepayers in the district seeking to form a new Board. Such district to have at least fifteen resident ratepayers. Pukekura —Only on petition of a rnajorily of the ratepayers. Raglan — Newcastle —Only on petition of ratepayers. IVhalcatane — Opotiki—By petition of two-thirds of ratepayers. Tauranga —By petition of a majority of ratepayers, having regard to both numerical majority, and also to the rateable valuation of the petitioners. Taranalci —■ Waiwakaiho — They should be empowered to create new ones, but only to alter them with the sanction of a majority of the ratepayers. Oakura—So long as counties exist, on petition of majority of ratepayers. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn)—Only on petition of the majority of ratepayers. Patea — Wairoa —No answer.

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Manawatu — Manchester —As at present, under " The Provincial Highways Act, 1874, Wellington." Hangilikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —No ; only as contained in " The Wellington Provincial Highways Act, 1874." Wairarapa East —Only on petition of a majority of the ratepayers, subject to the approval of the Governor in Council. Castlepoint — Only on petition of majority of ratepayers, subject to approval by the Governor in Council. Wairarapa West — Masterton —This should be done only on petition of ratepayers, subject to approval of Governor in Council. Note. —There appears to be doubt as to legal power of Government to alter boundaries of road districts. This should be seen to. Waimea — Suburban North —A majority of ratepayers. Amuri —Majority of ratepayers. Marlborough — Havelock —Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Kaikoura —On petition of a majority of three-fourths of ratepayers only.

Question 6— continued. Kaikoura —Only on petition of majoriry of ratepayers. Selwyn — Avon —Only on petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Malvern —Only on petition. Rakaia — Council should have the power to make alterations, on petition of majority of ratepayers concerned. Spreydon —-Only on petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Springs—Only on petition. Upper Waimakariri —On petition only. Ellesmere —Only with the consent of a majority of the ratepayers. Akaroa —Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers. Ashb urton — South Rakaia—We consider that "The Canterbury Roads Ordinance, 1872," and "The Canterbury Road Boards Amendment Act, 1877," deal satisfactorily with this question. Longbeach—Present method is best. Upper Ashburton—On petition of majority of ratepayers. Geraldine — Levels —Only on a petition of the ratepayers.

Levels (Chairman) —Only on petition of a majority of ratepayers. Waimate —Does not apply to Waimate, being a county without a Road Board. Waitaki —■ Otepopo —Only on petition of a majority of the ratepayers should counties be enabled to create or alter road districts. Vincent —No answer. Lake —Yes. .Peninsula — Portobello — Only on petition of a majority of the ratepayers should counties be enabled to create or alter road districts. Taieri — Seaside —Only on a petition of the majority of the ratepayers. Taieri—Only by a petition of the majority of the ratepayers. Bruce — Kaitangata—Only by a petition of a majority of the ratepayers should counties be enabled to create new road districts or alter existing ones. Clutlia — Clutha —Only on the petition of a majority of the ratepayers.

7. Should the counties or the Road Boards have the power of altering the divisions and the numbers of the members of Eoad Boards ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North —By majority of ratepayers only. Oruaiti—Road Boards. Mongonui—Road Boards. Bay of Islands —Does not apply. Whangerei — Kaurihohori— The Road Boards should have the power, and not counties. Mangapai—No answer. Maungakararaea—No. Ruatangata—The majority of ratepayers in a district only should have the power of altering the division and numbers of members of Road Boards. Waipu North —Yes. Whangarei —The Road Boards should have the power, and not counties. Sobson —Counties or Road Boards should have power to alter divisions. But number of members or creation of new ridings should be left to the ratepayers, and decided by a poll. Rodney — .Albertland North —Eoad Boards. Komokoriki —No answer. Matakana East —The power to alter the divisions and the number of the members of the Road Boards should be left entirely with the ratepayers. Waitemata —- Devonport—Road Boards. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)—-Road Boards. Pukeatua—The Road Boards. Waitakerei East—The Road Boards. Eden— No. Mamikau — Awhitu —No. Pokeno —Road Boards. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.) —The prosent number of members sufficient. Waikato — Cambridge—Alteration to bo made by the county, on application of the Road Boards. Waipa —Counties should allow alterations in Road Boards as to divisions and number of members only on petition of three-

fourths of the ratepayers, and not by their own motion. Manga piko—Counties. Ngaruawahia Town—Number of members of Boards should remain as at present. Counties should not have the power of inLerfering "with Boards. Pukekura—The counties should have the power, but only on petition of majority of ratepayers in Road Boards affected. Maglan — Newcastle —At wish of ratepayers. Whakatane — Opotiki—Road Boards only. Tanranga —Yes. Taranaki — Waiwakaiho — The counties, on receiving a petition from majority of ratepayers in the districts concerned. Oakura —It might be necessary sometimes. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn) —Only the Road Boards. J?atea — Wairoa—Road Boards. Manawatu — Manchester —See answer to No. 6. Mangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon—As at present, under " The Wellington Provincial Highways Act, 1874." Wairarapa East —The County Councils, only subject to the approval of the Governor in Council. Castlepoint —Counties, only on petition of majority of ratepayers. Wairarapa West — Masterton —This only on petition of ratepayers or Road Board, subject to approval of Governor in Council. A maximum of seven and minimum of five have worked very fairly. Waiinea— Suburban North—Yes. Amuri —The counties. Marlhorougli — Havelock —No. Kaifcoura —Only on petition of threefourths of ratepayers.

Kaikoura—Not without consent of three-fourths of ratepayers. Selwyn — Avon—Yes; on petition of two-thirds of the ratepayers. Malvern—Neither. Rakaia —Present number of members of Road Board has been found hitherto to work satisfactorily. Think it would be advisable to leave power of alteration of divisions of road districts in hands of the Road Boards; power of ultimate decision should rest with County Councils. Spreydon—Road Boards themselves. Springs—Not as to numbers of members of Road Boards, but alter divisions on petition of ratepayers. Upper Waimakariri —No. Ellesmcre—No alteration in their existing powers is desirable. Akaroa —Alteration should be made on the motion of either body, and with the consent of both. Ashburton —■ South Rakaia—No. Longbeach—On application of Board, with consent of County Council. Upper Ashburton —No answer. Geraldine — Levels —Road Boards, and not counties. Levels (Chairman) —Road Boards. Waimate —No. Wailaki— Otepopo—Road Boards should hav° power to alter the boundaries of subdivisions on petition of a majority of ratepayers. Vincent —No answer. Lake —Yes ; counties should. Peninsula — Portobello — Neither counties nor Road Boards Bhould have the power. Taieri — Seaside —Road Board should have the power of altering the divisions, but no power to alter the numbers of the members of Road Boards.

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Taieri —Only by application of the majority of the ratepayers within the road district should either the divisions or number of the members of Road Boards be altered.

Question 7— continued. Bruce — Kaitangata—Alterations in the divisions and numbers of members of Road Boards should remain in the

hands of the Q-overnor, aa at present. Clutha— Clutha—Yes.

8. What rating powers should counties have ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North —Where Road Boards exist, counties should have no rating powers. Oruaiti —No answer. Mongonui—None. In Road Boards. Bay of Islands —Should not exceed present powers. ~Whangarei — Kaurihohori —None, unless no Road Board exists. Mangapai —No answer. Maungakaramea — There should be only one rating body within the district or county. Should county strike a rate, Road Board to collect. Ruatangata —Counties should have no rating powers where such powers are exercised by the Highway Board. Waipu North —'They should not rate where Road Boards rate. Whangarei —None, unless no Road Boards exist. Hobson —Present rating powers sufficient. Rodney — Albertland North —Not greater than at present, except where no Road Board ; in which latter case should be able to levy a by-road rate. Extended powers will be used in some oases to crush the Road Boards out of existence. Komokoriki —I see no reason to alter existing powers. Matakana East—One body having the power to rate is sufficient: consequently, when the rating powers are in the hands of the Highway Boards, they should not be given to the counties. Waiiemata —■ Devonport—None. Devonport (W. H. Fenton) —None. Pukeatua —None where Road Boards are in existence. Waitakerei East—Not to levy any in districts managed by a Road Board. Eden —Where Road Boards exist, counties should not have power to levy more than Is. in the pound value to let in general and special rates in any one year. Manulcan — Awhitu —No answer. Pokeno —None. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—The present too excessive.

Waikato — Cambridge — The present rating powers appear to be sufficient. Waipa —None, where Road Boards are in existence. Hangapiio -— None, where Road Boards exist. Ngaruawahia Town—None. Pukekura—ln settled districts, where Road Boards exist, counties Bhould have no rating powers, but should make requisition on Road Boards for strictly county purposes. Saglan — New castle—None. Whahatane — Opotiki—No alteration. Tauranga —No alteration. Taranahi — Waiwakaiho —The power of levying a county rate, and receiving the road rates from all land fronting on their roads. Oakura—Not higher than at present. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn)—Not more than at present, as I know three or four road districts here that have no bridge, and receive no benefit from the county without paying a turnpike, and yet the county will not give them any money. Paiea — Wairoa —No answer. Manawata — Manchester—ls. in the pound. Hangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —Same as at present. TPairarapa East —Provision should be made to enable County Councils to define area for rating purposes to provide interest on loans raised for especial benefit of any particular portion of county; rating powers not to exceed provisions of existing Acts. Castlepoint — Counties should have power to impose rate for repayment of interest and providing sinking fund on loans raised for local works on any area specially defined, Whole rating power of counties not to exceed 3s. in the pound on the annual value. Wairarapa West — Masterton —Sufficient, as at present. TVaimea —■ Suburban North—None.

Amuri —Present powers; main roads and bridges excepted. Marlborough — Havelock —No answer. Kailcoura —Have sufficient at present. Kaikoura—Have sufficient. Sehoyn — Avon—As at present. Malvern —As at present. Rakaia—Rating powers should remain as at present. Spreydon—The rating power is sufficient as at present; therefore would not increase the same. Springs—As at present. Upper Waimakariri —No change desirable. Ellesmere —The same as at present. Akaroa —The same as at present. Ashburton — South Rakaia —No power to rate. Longbeach—No more than at present. Upper Ashburton—Not to exceed Is. in the pound sterling, except in special cases, where the ratepayers are agreeable. Geraldine — Levels —None. Levels Chairman) — None whatever for the construction of roads and bridges where Road Boards exist. Waimale —Same as present; not to exceed Is. Waitaki —■ Otepopo—Counties should have power to rate up to Is. in the pound, and have power to rate any separate riding according to its requirements. Vincent —Satisfied at present. Lake —Not more than at present. Peninsula — Portobello —The rating powers of counties should be Is. in the pound. Taieri — Seaside —Not to exceed Is. in the pound. Taieri —The county should have power to levy a general rate all over the county and a special rate on such portions of the county that are not formed into road districts. Bruce —■ Kaitangata — Counties should only have power to rate outlying districts. CUitha — Clutha—ls. in the pound.

9. What rating powers should Road Boards have ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North—-As at present. Oruaiti —Should make the only rate in a county. Mongonui—Same as present. Bay of Islands —Does not apply. Whangarei — Kaurihohori —A power limited to 2s. Mangapai—The present system is all right if absentees were made to pay rates. Maungakaramea —2s. in the pound, annual value. Only one rating body. Euatangata—Road Boards should possess power to strike a rate up to 2g. in the pound. The ratepayers of a district to recommend at the annual

meeting what amount of rate should be struck. Wnipu North—All lands in the district, Crown and Native as well as private. Whangarei— ■& power limited to 2s. Hobson —Same reply. Rodney — Albertland North —As at present, with power for a general meeting of ratepayers, duly convened, to agree to levy a larger rate, not exceeding an additional Is. in the pound. Komokoriki —I see no reason to alter the existing powers. Matakana East—The fixing and striking the rate should be the preroga-

live of the ratepayers. The maximum rate to be 2s. in the pound. Waitemata — Devonport—Power to levy special rates and ordinary rates up to 2s. Devonport (W. H. Fenton) —Power to levy rates up to Is. 6d. in the pound on annual rentals. Pukeatua—Not to exceed Is. in the pound. Waitakerei East —Leave it open for ratepayers to decide. Eden —Road Boards should have the power to choose between acreage and value to let, 6d. per acre or a Is. in value.

7

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Manukau— Awhitu —The same as at present. Pokeno —Up to 2s. 6d. in the pound. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—The present sufficient. Waikato — Cambridge — The present rating powers are sufficient. Waipa —Eoad Boards to have the only power of rating for any purpose. Unoccupied lands to be double rated. Mangapiko—Power should be limited to Is. in the pound. Ngaruawahia Town—A rate up to Is. in the pound for ordinary purposes. Special rating powers for special purposes, on the approval of twothirds of ratepayers. Pukekura—Road Boards where existent should be the only rating body, but should be limited to 2s. in the pound. Raglan — Newcastle —At option of ratepayers. Whakatane —■ Opotiki—As at present. Tauranga —s per cent., as at present. Taranaki — Waiwakaiho —The same as now. Oakura—Not higher than at present. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn) —There should be a minimum, and then let them carry what they like.

Question 9— continued. Patea— Wairoa —No answer. Manaioatu — Manchester—ls. in the pound. Eangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —Is. in the pound. lVairarapa East — Already sufficient power under existing Act. Castlepoint—Sufficient power under present Highways Act. Wairarapa West — Masterton—As above. Waimea —■ Suburban North—As at present. Amuri —None. Marlborough — Havelook —No answer. Kaikoura —Same as at present. Kaikoura—Have sufficient. iSelwyn. — Avon—As at present. Malvern —As at present. Eakaia—Eating powers should remain as at present. Spreydon—The same as at present. Springs—As at present. Upper Waimakariri —No change de • sirable. Ellesmere—The same as at present. Akaroa —The same as at present. Ashhurlon —■ South Eakaia —The same as at pre-

sent, this Board being of opinion that only one rating body is deBirable. Longbeach—No more than at present. Upper Ashburton — The same as above. Greraldine — Levels —Same as at present. Levels (Chairman) —As at present, and all the work of attending to roads and bridges be devolved on them, financially and practically. Waimate —Does not apply to Waimate. Waitaki — Otepopo—The rating powers of Eoad Boards should be Is. in the pound. Vincent —No answer. Lake —We have no Eoad Boards in this county. Peninsula — Portobello — The rating powers of Eoad Boards should be the same as at present. Taieri — Seaside—Not to exceed Is. in the pound. Taieri —Same as at present. Bruce — Kaitangata —The rating powers of Eoad Boards should continue as at present. Chitha — Clutha —Is. in the pound.

10. If the operation of the Counties Act is suspended in any county, should Eoad Boards be enabled to exercise any of the powers of the county, and, if so, which ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North —All the powers. Kevenue from licenses and dog-tax in their district, and to control a fair proportion of the public moneys set apart for the Council. Oruaiti—No answer. Mongonui—No answer. Bay of Islands—Does not apply. Whangarei — Kaurihohori — The Counties Act should be suspended, and the power given to Eoad Boards. Mangapai —Give Eoad Boards more power. Maungakaramea—lssue licenses under " The Licensing Act, 1881 j" also to hawkers, auctioneers, &c. Euatangata—The Counties Act should be suspended in districts where a majority of ratepayers desire it, or where Road Boards have struck a rate. Eoad Boards to have powers to make by-laws as regards roads, &c. Waipu North — All the powers of counties. Whangarei—The Counties Act should be suspended, and the power given to Eoad Boards. ffobson— Road Boards and^ County Councils should be separate and distinct; and, in case of the Counties Act being suspended, duly-qualified parties be appointed to see that works already in course of being carried out are properly completed, and that Road Boards in the County of Hobson do not step in to undertake the works that may be so interfered with. Bodney — Albertland North —No answer. Komokoriki—No answer. Matakana East—"The Counties Act, 1876," should be repealed, and increased powers given to Highway Boards —particularly in the districts north of Auckland.

Waitemata — Devonport—Most certainly ; all. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)—All. Pukeatua—All the powers that the Council had. Waitakerei East —Yes ; all. Eden —We think the Counties Act Bhould either be abolished or be made operative in every county, but if the Act is suspended in a given county, then the .Koad Board should have all the powers of the county. Manukau — Awhitu—No answer. Pokeno —No answer. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—The Eoad Boards would be able to exercise all the powers of the county better and much cheaper. Waikato —- Cambridge —We are of opinion that the Counties Act should be declared to be in force throughout the colony, or, if not, that it should be repealed : permissive legislation we believe to be a sign of weakness inthe Government. The powers exercised by counties could not well be performed by Road Boards. Waipa —Eoad Boards should be enabled to exercise all powers, the Council being simply a distributive body. Mangapiko—Yea. Ngaruawahia Town — Eoad Boards should have the sole management of public pounds, public runs j should have the management of public reserves. The dog-tax should be administered by the police, when it would probably be efficiently done. Pukekura —In such case counties would be merely a distributive body, and Eoad Boards should have all their powers. Saffian — Newcastle— Suspend Counties Act, and increase power of Eoad Boards in Waipa.

Whakatane — Opotiki—Merely rating powers. Tauranga —Merely rating power, as suggested in Reply 8. Eoad Boards being usually restricted in area, there is the danger of the entire management and control falling into the hands of a clique. Taranahi — Waiwakaiho —No ; but the General Government should take over the county roads, and take away all land fronting on those roads from road districts, and should strike such a rate, not exceeding Is. in tho pound, on those lands as shall be necessary to keep said roads in repair. Oakura —In many cases Eoad Boards could manage main lines, but it would be better that Government manage main lines entirely. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn)— There is good work for both counties and Road Boards to do. They should both exist, and be totally independent of each other. The counties should be obliged to take over all bridges over streams of a certain size, as in England. Patea — Wairoa —All the powers now exercised by the County Council within tho road district. Manaioatu — Manchester—All the powers. Rangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon — All the powers of the Counties Act. Wairarapa East —No answer. Castlepoint—No answer. Wairarapa West — Masterton—Yes ; county power of rating, in addition to that already possessed. Waimea — Suburban North—Same as counties. Amuri —Certain powers—such as ceraeteries, pounds, &o,

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Marllorough — Havelock —No answer. Kaikoura —Yes ; all of them. Kaikoura —All of them. Selwyn — Avon—Do not suggest any alteration at present. Malvern —No answer. Eakaia—lt should be compulsory on all counties to take up this Act in full. Spreydon —The operation of the Counties Act Bhould be compulsory, instead of optional, as at present. Springs—No answer. Upper Waimakariri — All counties should be obliged to take up the Act. Ellesmere—Yes. Akaroa —No answer. Ashburton — South Eakaia —No answer.

Question 10— continued. Longbeach—No more power should be given than at present. Upper Ashburton —No. Qeraldine — Levels —Yes ; and have all the powers of the counties. Levels (Chairman) — See no reason why a large district in such a position should not have county functions executed by Eoad Hoards. Waimate —Does not apply to Waimate. Waitaki— Otepopo—lf the operation of the Counties Act is suspended in any county, Eoad Boards should be enabled to exercise all the powers of the county. Vincent —No answer. Lake —The operation of the County Act in its present form has proved fairly satisfactory, and would be more so if the i powers of the Council were increased.

The best test is that no demands exist for the establishment of Eoad Boards in this county. Peninsula — Portobello —If the operation of the Counties Act is suspended in any County, the Eoad Boards should be enabled to exercise all the powers the counties have. Taieri —■ Seaside—All the powers. Taieri—No answer. Bruce — Kaitangata—Should the operations of the Counties Act be suspended in any county, the Eoad Boards should be enabled to exercise all the powers the counties have. Clutha— Clutha—The Eoad Boards should be enabled to exercise all the powers of the county.

11. Should Eoad Board members hold office for a fixed time, and, if so, what; or should a proportion retire every year ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North —Annually, as at present. Oruaiti —For a fixed time only. Mongonui—Elect annually, as at present. Hay of Islands —Does not apply. "Whangarei — Kaurihohori —All officers to hold office for one year only. Mangapai—l think it would be better for them to hold office for three years, and to retire in rotation, two every year, but to be eligible for re-election in small districts. Maungakaramea—Eoad Boards to be elected annually. Euatangata—Road Boards should be elected annually as hitherto, and hold office for a year, all members retiring. Annual meeting of ratepayers for election of Eoad Boards should be held in the month of April, instead of July, as now, so that the year of office of a Board be coterminous with the financial year. Waipu North —The law as at present suits very well. Whangarei—All members to hold office for one year only. Sohson —No answer. Rodney — Albertland North—The present system of annual election seems to act well. Komokoriki —The annual election of all the members of the Eoad Board is the best. Matakana East—Eoad Board members should be elected for three years ; one-third of the members to retire annually. The election of members should take place in April, and not in July as at present. TVaitemata — Devonport—Yes ; three years, two retiring at every annual meeting by ballot, but eligible for re-election. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)— Yes; say for three years, two members retiring at each annual meeting, but eligible for re-election. Pukeatua —For one year only. Waitakerei East —For one year only. Eden' —Law Bhould be as at present. Manukau — Awhitu—As at present. Pokeno —Hold office for three years, two to retire annually. Waipipi (A. Muirjuu.)—Should hold office for one year only; then all should retire.

Waikato — Cambridge—Eoad Boards should be elected in April, 1883. At the end of first year two members retire, end of second year three retire, and so back to two at end of third year ; retiring members to be eligible for re-election. Waipa —Two members should retire each year, the two who received the least votes to retire first. Mangapiko— Eemain as at present. Ngaruawahia Town—Term should be as at present for twelve months, and all should go out of office at once. Time should correspond with financial year. Pukekura—Two should retire in each year, and not be eligible for reelection in that year. To start the rotation the two who obtain the lowest number of votes should retire. Raglan — Newcastle—Elect forjthree years, and let some retire every year, thus preventing all new members any year, which is disadvantageous. Whalcatane — Opotiki—As at present. Tauranga —Annual election, so as to give full power into the hands of the ratepayers. Taranalci — Waiwaiaiho —They should be elected as at present. Oakura —A fixed time, one-third retiring yearly. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn) —They should be elected every year, with the exception of the Chairman, who should hold office for two years. Paiea — Wairoa —For a fixed time; say three years. Manawatu — Manchester —As under "The Province of Wellington Highways Act, 1874." "Rangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon—For three years, as in the Wellington Provincial Highways Act. Wairarapa Hast —Triennial election most satisfactory. Castlepoint—Triennial election sufficient. Wairarapa West —■ Masterton—Triennial election. Waime.a — Suburban North —As at present; onehalf retire annually.

Amuri —A proportion Bhould retire every year. Marllorough — Havelock —A proportion retire every year, say half. Kaikoura —Proportion, say one-third, retire annually. Kaikoura —One-third should retire annually, but be eligible for reelection. Sel/myn — Avon —A proportion of members retire annually, as at present. Malvern—As at present. Bakaia—ln this provincial district Road Board members hold office for two years, two out of the five retiring one year and three in the next. This system has worked exceedingly well. S prey don —As at present. Springs—As at present. Upper Waimakariri—No change desirable. Ellesmere—The present system should be adhered to. Akaroa —A proportion should retire each year, as at present. Ashburton — South Eakaia —The present system to be adhered to. Longbeach—Present Bystem is best. Upper Ashburton —To be elected for three years, and no retirements. Cferaldine — Levels—Same as at present. Levels (Chairman) —Two years; retiring by one-third annually. Waimate —No Road Boards in county. Waita/ci — Otepopo—Eoad Board members should be elected for three years, and retire in rotation as at present. Vincent —No answer. LaJce —Cannot give opinion. Peninsula — Portobello—Members of Eoad Boards should be elected for three years, one-third of their number to retire annually, as at present. Taieri — Seaside—Yes ; one-third Bhould retire every year. Taieri—Present system preferred. Bruce —■ Kaitangata—The present system of holding office in Eoad Boards is approved of. Clutha — Clutha—For three years, one-third of their number to retire annually.

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12. Should Eoad Board Chairmen be — Whangaroa North —No ; elected by the Trustees, as at present. Oruaiti—No. Mongonui—Yes. Say of Islands —Does not apply. Whangarei — Kaurihohori —No. Mangapai —The difficulty in small districts w to get any one to act, as generally all the duties fall upon him. Maungakaramea—No. Ruatangata —No. Waipu North —As now. Whangarei—No. jffooson —No answer. Rodney — Albertland North —Would make Eoad Board system too elaborate. Komokoriki —No ; by the members of the old Board. Matakana East —No ; as at present. Waitemata — Devonport — No; by the Trustees themselves from amongst their number. Devonport (W. H. Eenton)—Yes. Pukeatua —No ; should be elected by the members of the Board. Waitakerei East —No ; each Board to elect their own Chairman, as at present.' Eden —No. Manukau — Awhitu —No. Pokeno —No, Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.) —No; the present system satisfactory.

3 elected as Mayors are ? Wailcato — Cambridge—No. It would save much expense and valuable time if Mayors were elected by their Councils. Waipa —No. Mangapiko —No. Ngaruawahia Town —No ; should be elected by Board. Pukekura—No. Uaglan — Newcastle—No. Whakatane — Opotiki—No. Tauranga —No. TaranaM — Waiwakaiho —No. Oakura —No ; the present system should be simplified. Mangarei (J. T Upjohn)—No. Patea— Wairoa —No. Manatvatn — Manchester—No. Hangitihei — Sandon and Carnarvon —No. Wairarapa East —No. Castlepoint —No. Wairarapa, West — Masterton —No. Waimea — Suburban North—No; as at present. Amuri —No. Marliorough — Havelock —No ; by the members. Kai/conra —No; present system preferable; but Chairman should hold office until the election of his successor, and, if necessary, exercise casting vote. Kaikoura—As at present.

Selwyn, — Avon—No ; as at present. Malvern—No. Rakaia—No ; present system of election by majority of the Board we believe to be quite satisfactory. Spreydon—No. Springs—No. Upper Waimatariri—No. Eliesmere —No. A/caroa —No. Ashburton — South Rakaia —No; the present system to be adhered to. Longbeach—No. Upper Ashburton—No. Geraldine — Levels—No. Levels (Chairman) —No. Waimate —No Road Boards in county. WaitaM — Otepopo—The present system of electing Road Board Chairmen is satisfactory. Vincent —No answer. Lalce —Cannot give opinion. Peninsula — Portobello —Eoad Board Chairmen should not be elected as Mayors are. Taieri — Seaside —No. Taieri—No ; it is too expensive. Bruce— Kaitangata—Eoad Board Chairmen should not be elected as Mayors are. Clutlia— Clutha —The present system is satisfactory.

13. It it desirable to allow of Road Board elections being held in open public meeting, like those of School Committees, in districts where the Road Board, by special order, adopts this plan ?

Mongonui — Whangnroa North —At the option of ratepayers. .Oruaiti —Present mode is satisfactory, but abolish proxy-votes. Mongonui —By ratepayers, as at present. Bay of Islands —Does not apply.. Whang arei — Kaurihohori —Wo change required Mangapa-i—l think it is better for the Trustees to choose their own Chairman. Maun gakaramea—Yes. Ruatangata —Election of Eoad Boards to be held in open meeting, as provided by " The Highways Act, 1874," unless ratepayers petition to have the Local Elections Act brought into force in their district. Waipu North —It is also very desirabie that the law should not require so much advertising, as it is too expensive. Whangarei —No change required. Sobsoti —No; should be under Local Education Act. Proxy-voting in the matter of Itoad Board elections should be carefully considered. Rodney — Albertland North —Yes. Komokoriki —No answer. Matakana East—Yes ; as at present. Waitemata — Devonport —No amwer. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)—No ; I think Road Board members should be elected by ballot. Pukeatua —Yes. Waitakerei Bast —Yes. Eden —lt is. 2—A. 10a.

ManuTcam — Awhitu—Yes. Pokeno—Elect them as at present. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.) —Yes; it is satisfactory to all parties. Wailcato — Cambridge—By the Highways Act, Auckland, these elections are held in open meeting of ratepayers, and are more simple and satisfactory than elections held under the Local Elections Act. Waipa —lt should be held in public meetof ratepayers, as under Highways Act at present, proxies being excluded. Mangapilto—Remain as at present. Ngaruawahia Town —1 es ; but not as School Boards are, by block vote. Voting should be by ballot, conducted by three scrutineers appointed at meeting. Pukekura —As at present, but no proxies allowed. Saglan —■ Newcastle —Local Elections Act is in force in this district. Whaleatams — Opotiki—By Local Elections Act. Tawanga —Yes. Taranaki — Waiwakaiho: —Yes. Oakura —Yes. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn) —Yes ; you cannot make elections too public. Patea — Wairoa —No answer. Manamatu — Manchester —Under "The Local Election Act, 1876." Mangitihei —■ Sandon and Carnarvon—No ; under the Local Elections Act.

Wairarapa Hast — Provisions of Local Elections Act should be made general. Castlepoint — No ; Regulation of Local Elections Act should be made general in its application. Wairarapa West — Masterton—Regulation of Local Elections Act works satisfactory. Wtiimea — Suburban North —Yes. Amuri —By ballot. WarlhorougJi — Havelock —Yes. Kaikoura —No ; as at present. Kaikoura —Present system preferable. Selwyn — Avon —Road Board elections, as at present, under the Local Elections Act. Malvern —No answer. Rftkaia —Most of the Road Boards have adopted the Local Elections Act. Think it would be well to make this system compulsory, as it avoids confusion. Spreydon—Leave it to the discretion of the Road Board. Springs—No. Upper Waimakariri —No. Eliesmere —No. Akaroa —No. As/ihurton —■ South Eakaia —No. Longbeach—No objection seen. Present system works satisfactorily. Upper Ashburton —Yes. Geraldine — Levels—No. Levels (Chairman) —No. Waimate —No Road Boards in county. WaitaM — Otepopo—lt is not desirable to have

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Road Board elections held in open public meeting. Vincent —No answer. Lake —Cannot give opinion. Peninsula — Portobello—lt is not desirable to have the Road Board elections held in open public meeting.

Question 13— continued.

Taieri — Seaside —No ; the present mode works well. Taieri —Road Board elections should not be held in public, but in terms of the present Act.

Bruce — Kaitangata — Road Board elections should not be held in public, but in accordance with the regulations of Local Elections Act. Cluiha — Clutha—No.

14. What alterations do you suggest in the .Rating Bill as sketched in a circular enclosed herewith ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North—Approve of Rating Bill as sketched. Oruaitl —No answer. Mongonui—No answer. Hay of Islands —That this county should have its own Valuator. Whangarei — Kaurihohori —The Bill as sketched is a good one. Mangapai—l would approve of the suggestions made in the Bill. Maungakaramea—No answer. Ruatangata—Rating Bill as sketched seems good. It ought to enable Road Boards to obtain judgment against defaulters for all arrears of rates in as simple and inexpensive a manner as possible. Waipu North —I highly approve of the Rating.Bill, although nothing but special grants will do to make roads passable in this district. Whangarei—The Bill as sketched is a good one. Hobson —The Bill as sketched in the circular seems to meet the requirements of this county. Rodney — Albertland North —None. The proposals are good. Ivotnokoriki —No answer. Matakana East —No answer. Waitemata — Devonport—Think the plan sketched out is a very good one. Devonport (W. H. Eenton) —None. Am thoroughly satisfied with plan as sketched in circular. Pukeatua —No answer. Waitakerei East —No answer. Eden —The property-tax valuation might be adopted. Mode of valuing be as at present. There is no occasion for the Government either buying or selling, or that an owner should be asked to sell. It is desirable that the Government bear the greater part of the cost of construction of main roads connecting centres of population. Manukau — Awhitu —No answer. Pokeno —None. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—Not any. Waikato — Cambridge — The Rating Bill as sketched is an improvement on previous legislation, particularly as regards valuation and the payment by the Public Trustee of rates due on the property of defaulters or absentees. TVaipa — That the valuation for Road Boards be the same, but the Valuer be not appointed by the Government, but by the County Council; and that a column be inserted in the form of rate-book, for bringing up arrears, as a check on collectors. Mangapiko—Approve of one valuation for the property-tax and local purposes; the County Council and not the Government appointing the Valuers. Ngaruawahia Town — Ratepayers should have power to strike rate

at annual meeting. All land occupied for public works and other public purposes to be rated. Pukekura —If the property-tax valuation is to be the basis of the Road Board valuation, the appointment of Valuer for property-tax shouli be by the county and not by any Government official. Unimproved lands held for speculation to pay double rates. Raglan — Newcastle—None. Whakatane — Opotiki—That all lands should be rated according to value, irrespective of ownership. Tauranga —Present alterations, such as— (1) dealing with property absentees; (2) unimproved lands to be valued in proportions to the improved, and not give a premium to speculators at the expense of the hard-working industrious settlers ; (3) no registration of land transfer to issue till all arrears of county rates are paid ; (4) interest at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum to be charged on all unpaid rates ; (5) mode of valuation as proprosed by Government in the new Rating Act approved of, subject to above suggestions. Taranaki — Waiwakaiho —None. Oakura —If Government take over main lines, they are best judges as to rating or otherwise ; and all ratepayers must find means to keep district roads in repair. Cases might arise as to bridges on district roads, where large funds were required, where borrowing might be judicious, if required. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn)—The Bill will be a great improvement on the present system ; but I should prefer the ratepayers in public meeting fixing their own valuation, to last the time proposed by the Bill. The present is about the most wasteful system that could be devised. Patea — Wairoa —No answer. Manawatu — Manchester — That the Highway Boards should make the valuation, as at present. Rangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —Valuations to be made once every three years by the local bodies, which valuations would be available for the Government property-tax, the Government paying their quota towards expenses of valuations, local bodies having a better knowledge of the value of properties within the district. Wairarapa East — Triennial valuation should be made, and rate collected and distributed to local bodies by Govern- ■ ment. Every facility should be given to ratepayers for inexpensive appeal against valuation. Castlepoint — Valuations should be made, rate collected and distributed by the Government. Every

facility to appeal against valuations should be given to ratepayers. JVairarapa West — Masterton —Classyfying Crown and Native lands under subsection (f), and so giving local bodies approximate rates derivable. If such lands were held privately, Government could classify and distribute rates to bodies entitled thereto. TVaimea — Suburban North —Agree with the sketch. Amuri —No answer. Marlhorough — Havelock —None. Kaikoura —Not any; consider it adapted to this district. Kaikoura —Consider it adapted to district. Selivyn — Avon —The property-tax valuation would not suit the requirements of this district. Malvern—No answer. Rakaia—No answer. Spreydon—The same rate should be made applicable for counties and Road Boards, and assessed annually, in consequence of the constant changes taking place in the value, particularly in districts near towns. Springs—One valuation to include all ratepayers. Upper Waimakariri —Cannot offer any suggestions at present; approve of Bill as sketched. Ellesmere —No answer. AJcaroa —No answer. Ashburton — South Rakaia—No answer. Longbeach —If fixed value (see form) means uniform value, Board would object, especially in the case of educational reserves, tipper Ashburton —No answer. Qeraldine — Levels —We disapprove of Eating Bill before us. Levels (Chairman) —I consider the scheme proposed a desirable one for the necessities of country districts which are deficient in roads, bridges, and river-protection works. Assistance from some source to support local taxation is absolutely necessary if a district is to develop its resources. W^aimate — Do not approve of Rating Bill. Counties should prepare their own valuation rolls. Waiiaki — Otepopo—Valuers should be appointed by the ratepayers. Vincent —None ; unless, perhaps, whereby the Government should be rated for Crown lands. Lake —None. Approved of, with the proviso that the Valuator should consult the Council for local information. Peninsula — Portobello —We approve of Rating Act as sketched iv the circular, but think Road Boards should have the option of making their own or

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adopting the property-tax valuation. Taieri — Seaside —The Board suggests no alteration.

Question 14— continued. Taieri —No answer. Bruce — Kaitangata —No answer.

Clutha— Clutha—We approve of the Bating Bill as sketched in the circular.

15. Please state whether the provisions of the Roads Construction and Crown and Native Lands Eating Bills would suit your district, and, if not, what alterations would you suggest which would make these measures more useful ?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North —No answer. Oruaiti —No answer. Mongonui—No answer. Say of Islands —This county has already sent resolutions to the Government on these points. It is manifestly unfair that the burden of making and maintaining roads should fall on ratepayers, while two-thirds of the heavy traffic is done by Natives, who pay no taxes. Whangarei — Kaurihohori —No answer. Mangapai—The Crown and Native lands should be rated. I think this would suit all poor districts. There is generally a great quantity of land unsold belonging to the Government, and the Natives own the best land and pay no rateß or taxes, which keeps a settlement back. Maungakaramea—No answer. Euatangata—Apparently a very good Bill. Suggested that the Board consist of the Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer, and Minister for Public Works. Waipu North—lt would suit counties, but small road districts are too poor to avail themselves of its provisions. Whangarei—No answer. Bobson —The provisions of these Bills are sufficient and suitable, and much needed; and, if not carried into effect, some provision must be made for main roads connecting other centres of population. Rodney — Albertland North — Cannot suggest improvement. Will suit. Komokoriki —So far as you have sketched out in your circular, I think it will be of great use. Matakana East —The Eoads Construction and Native Lands Bill as sketched in the circular would answer well in this district. Waiiemata — Devonport —No interest in Native lands. Devonport (W. H. Fenton)' —We have no Native lands in our district, so cannot offer any suggestions. Pukeatua —No answer. Waitakerei East —No answer. Eden —We generally approve of the provisions mentioned in the circular regarding Eoads Construction Bill and the Crown and Native Lands Bating Bill. Manukau — Awhitu —No answer. Pokeno —No answer. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.) —We have neither Crown nor Native lands in our district which would be worth making any alteration for. Waikato — Cambridge—We think they are generally suitable;1 but the intention to place a fixed value, probably a low one, on Crown and Native lands might be improved on. Waipa —Yes; so far as Eoads Construction Bill goes. Mangapiko —No answer. Ngaruawahia|Town —Yes.

Pukekura—So far as they apply to Bettled districts they would suit us. Raglan — Newcastle —Yes. Wliakatane — Opotiki—No answer. Tauranga —The proposals in last year's Bill, introduced by Major Atkinson, . put too low a valuation on Government and Native lands. Taranaki — Waivvakaiho —I think it would. Oakura —No answer. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn)—l think the plan proposed is a good one. There is a Native reserve in this district that ten years ago the Native Commissioner told me was fit to have Crown grants issued to the Natives that they might pay rates, and nothing has been done yet in that direction. Patea — Wairoa—'No answer. Manawatu — Manchester —They will suit our district very well. Rangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —Yes ; but we think that- district roads are hardly treated with as compared with main roads. We would suggest that Road Boards be allowed the same advantages in respect of main district roads as County Councils. Wairarapa Hast —Believe that the Eoads Construction measure would prove satisfactory. Crown and Native lands should pay rates on a fair and equitable valuation. Castlepoint — Yes ; and that a failrate should be paid on both Crown and Native lands. Wairarapa West — Masterton —The principle of placing fund at disposal of local bodies repayable within a term of years meets with general approval, but great doubts exist as to equitable distribution by central Board. The provision for free grant of 75 per cent, on cost of construction in case of a main road, as against absolute repayment in the case of district roads, will make the definition of such roads a very difficult task. Many roads connecting centres of population have ceased to be of large importance owing to the opening of railways. Waimea — Suburban North —No suggestion. Amuri —Not applicable. Marlborough — Havelock —No answer. Kaikoura —Would not suit this district. In districts like Kaikoura, where no benefit has been derived from expenditure of loans in roads or railways, am of opinion that main trunk line of road should be made out of public loan. Kaikoura —Not adapted for district. Selwyn — Avon —No.

Malvern —No answer. Eakaia —We suggest that power be given to the local bodies to make alterations in the rolls when they have been completed where a change has occurred in owner or occupier, notice of such change to be immediately sent by party interested to local body. Spreydon—Not necessary in this district. Springs—Does not apply to this district. Upper Waimakariri—Likely to suit this district as its resources become developed ; and, intelligently and energetically applied, it would become a great power in developing the resources of bush country, where the bulk of the laud is still in the hands of the Crown, and where roads must either precede or closely follow settlement, such as the west coast of this Island. Ellesmere—No. As far as this district is concerned it is unadvisable that any moneys be lent by Government for the purpose of road or bridge construction or river conservation. AJcaroa —No answer. Ashburlon — South Eakaia—No answer. Longbeach—No ; would be unfair in its operation in this district. Upper Ashburton — Yes ; excepting that no local body get a grant from the Board only on the amount of rates raised by such local body. G-eraldine — Levels —Not applicable to our district. Levels (Chairman) — Know nothing of the subject. Waimate —Would not suit County of Waimate. Waitalci — Otepopo—The provisions of the Eoads Construction and Crown and Native Lands Eating Bills, generally, are not wanted here, and the Board disapproves of the Bills. Vincent —No answer. LaTce — The Eoads Construction Bill, though a fair proposal for settled districts, is one that would act unfavourably in this county, as half of its area comprises a comparatively unknown though auriferous and mineral country, known as the West Coast. This area may be deemed one of colonial value. The county could not settle it. Peninsula — Portobello —No answer. Taieri — Seaside —Not suitable for this district. Taieri—No answer. Bruce — Kaitangata—The provisions of the Eoads Construction Bill "would suit our district. Clutha — Clutha —We approve of these Bills generally if the money were divided fairly.

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16. Have you any suggestions to make generally on the matters dealt with in the circular in which this is enclosed?

Mongonui — Whangaroa North—That more power be given to Eoad Boards and less to the Councils, as this district is better able to carry out their own work than the County Council, if the Eoad Board here had their share of the public money, instead of allowing the Council to spend it for them. The district would be in a better position, as the Council neither make roads with the money nor maintain the through roads, but spend the money in new district roads, where there is no population. Oruaiti —No answer. Mongonui—This Board prefer Eoad Boards, as at present. Bay of Islands —Would suggest that, in all questions where the financial interests of the county are involved, the county should have a voice in the matter. Whangarei — Kaurihohori —We would suggest that counties be abolished where Eoad Boards are elected, and the subsidies granted by Parliament be handed over to Eoad Boards ; and more power given to Road Boards, enabling them to deal with local matters more thoroughly. Mangapa^i —I. think Boad Boards should have power given them to alter roads on unfenced land without compensation, particularly where one road was given for another for the benefit of the district. Maungakaramea—Road Boards should be elected in April. There are too many advertisements required in the Highway and Eating Acts. Notices posted in public places in the district would answer every useful purpose. Ruatangata—ln districts where Road Boards have been in existence, or where ratepayers, by petition, demand it, County Councils should be abolished. Road Boards to have the same powers as County Councils. It is suggested that authorize! > surveyors should be appointed for certain large districts—say, two for North of Auckland — whom the several District Boards might consult in all cases where the Public Works Act demands it, &c, without having to pay for their services out of the District Board's funds, but surveyors to be paid by Government for their work. Waipu North — The Government should take over main lines, as that would prevent local differences from being brought to bear on what should be for the good of the country at large. Whangarei —We would suggest that counties bo abolished where Road Boards are elected, and the subsidies granted by Parliament be handed over to Road Boards, as under the Provincial Acts; and more power be given to Eoad Boards, enabling them to deal with local matters more thoroughly. Hobson —Would suggest that the County of Hobson be immediately divided; that the division bo 100,000 acres to each section. In consequence of the scattered and broken nature of the county and its several settlements this division would produce good results, and give greater satisfaction to ratepayers. That the question of division be left to the ratepayers, and decided by a poll. Modney — Albertland North —No answer.

Komokoriki —No answer. Matakana East —No answer. Waitemata — Devonport —No answer. Devonport (W. H. Fenton) —None. I thoroughly indorse the sentiments contained therein. Pukeatua —No answer. Waitakerei East — Abolish County Councils and Assessment Courts, also taxing or rating improvements. It ia a great barrier to the progress of the colony. Road Boards to hear appeals, as formerly. Eden —No answer. Manukau — Awhitu—No. Pokeno —Annual meeting of Road Boards to be held in April, instead of July. Waipipi (A. Muir, jun.)—(lst.) Counties or Eoad Boards should not be allowed to expend more than their rates or borrow : for instance, a road Board may be composed of men who hold only a small leasehold; these men would go in for borrowing (o any extent, and leave the district in a worse state than when they took office. (2nd.) No man should be qualified to stand as a member unless his rates amounted to over £5, or county members without his rates exceed £20. (3rd.) The valuation would always be better done by Eoad Boards than by Government. (4th.) I would also suggest that the Natives be allowed to deal themselves with their land in this district. (sth.) The Government lands in this district are too small to be dealt with. Waikato — Cambridge—We think that the practice of subsidizing local bodies from loans should be discontinued, and provision of a permanent nature be made for local requirements from the Land Fund, or property-tax, or both. The financial year throughout the colony should be made to terminate on 31st March. A Local Government Act should be passed, embodying all the Acts in existence made for local governing purposes, or at least a general Highways Act, with the boundaries of districts defined in the schedule, so as to obviate the necessity of producing in Court Provincial Acts and Gazettes, which are obsolete, and cannot be procured during the past ten years. The present mode of debiting counties with the cost of hospitals and charitable aid is not understood, is considered unjust to outside districts, and objectionable. It is presumed that the cost of treating a patient in the Auckland Hospital or Asylum, per annum or per day, lias been ascertained ; that being the case, each county and borough might be charged with the cost of persons admitted on the order of their Chairman, and for no more, leaving the local bodies the power to recover from those able to pay. In short, local bodies, as far as is practicable, should be given permission and power to manage their own offairs as to them seems best, the General Government retaining the power to interfere in case of negligence or mismanagement, but generally to confine themselves to matters of colonial and Imperial concern. Waipa —That the election of Eoad Trus-

tees take place in April, in place of July. Approve of Public Trustee recovering rates from absentees. That the County Council in all districts where there are Eoad Boards have no executive power, merely be a legislative body: the different county works to be carried out by Eoad Boards in which works are situated, and be paid by Council. That Councils should, as far as possible, supersede the Colonial Secretary in Eoad Board -business. Mangapiko — Elections of Trustees should be held in April. There should be a column in the ratebook for arrears. Public Trustee should recover the rates on lands of unknown owners. Ngaruawahia Town — Where Eoad Boards are in existence there is no necessity for the expense of County Councils. The expenditure of the Eoad Boards is under the immediate supervision of the Trustees, and they, being interested in having good roads, are more likely to get value for money expended; whereas in the case of counties the extent of district supervised by five Trustees would have to bo looked after by one Councillor, and, owing to the time it would take, would likely be neglected. Sooner or later the necessity of paying Councillors would have to be recognized, but this would not be the case with Eoad Boards, the place of meeting being usually within a few miles of home. Were Councillors paid it would run away with a large portion of the rates in a poor district, and were they not paid the administration of local affairs would soon fall into the hands of the large property-holders, to the detriment of the poor man. Batepayers should have an opportunity at certain periods, say every three years, commencing immediately after the passing of an Act, for the purpose of deciding whether they would dispense with County Councils or not ; a clear majority being sufficient, and ratepayers having only one vote for this purpose. Main roads should be taken over by Government, when a good engineer could be employed to look after them, where several bad ones are employed at present. Eoad Boards to have the option of consulting such engineer at a fixed scale of charges. Pukekura —That counties should in all districts where there are Eoad Boards' be rather a legislative and controlling than an executive power, and should have power, in case of Eoad Boards neglecting their roads or other works, to call on them to show cause why such default is made, and, if required, proceed against them by indictment; that all Eoad Board accounts be returned to the County Council, and not to the Colonial Secretary, and that in all questions of Eoad Board management, as far as possible, the county should take the place of the Colonial Secretary; that, in addition to all license-fees raised in thecounty the County Council should be empowered to make requisition on the Eoad Boards within the county of a limited amount in the pound for strictly county purposes, but shall carry out no works except through the Eoad Board in whose district such county work may be ;

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that any number of Bond Boards, who may, by a three-fourths majority of ratepayers in each district, desire to unite for economy of business, may, on application to the County Council, be formed into a united district, under a common style, but in stidh united district a separate account shall be kept of ea'oti original district debited with all works carried* out in it, and with a rateable proportion of the common establishment charges, and credited with the amount of rates raised in such original district, one uniform rate being lefied on the whole united district. "Raglan — Newcastle —None. Wliahatane — Opotiki—-This Board thinks that County Councils should be abolished as at present constituted, as being 100 expensive in working. Councillors should not have Ihc power to vote themselves salaries, as at present, out of the rates of the county. All Councillors should be honorary, the same as Road Boards are. The Chairmen of Road Boards in the counties should administer affairs of county. Tauravgu —Construction of main roads fo be undertaken and kept in repair at the expense of the Government, but under the supervision of County Councils. Taranaki — Waiwakoiho —I think it an injustice to let Road Boards have the rates from land fronting on or within a mile of the county roads. Such properties should be made a separate road district, and should be rated by the county up to Is. in the pound, according to requirements. Oakura —No answer. Mangarei (J. T. Upjohn)—There is at present great injustice done by District. Road Commissioners in totally, ignoring great parts of roads altogether. I believe all improvements should begin nearest to centres of population, and then be continued to end of road. For example, suppose it is derided to form a bunli road, such formation should begin nearest to a town, and continued to end of road before gravelling is commenced below. Above all things, an appeal should be granted to a totally independent body, and that body should be the Magistrates in petty sessions, and not, as at present, the County Councils, who take no interest in what does not locally concern them. The audit of accounts should be much mure stringent than at, present. 1 have known Auditors not to have seen the books until the day of the general meeting, tf the Act was found giving the meeting power to say how the rales should be expended, much greater interest "would be taken in meetings than now. I will give an instance of the ruling of a County Chairman : He said if there were two roads in a district, and the appeal proved the money was unfairly expended on one of them, the Council would grant relief; but, as there was but one, the Council could not interfere to adjudicate how the money was to be spent, although it was shown that hundreds of pounds had been draw:), from upper end of district to lowef lulls and form road ai lower end, while the upper part 3—A. 10a,

Question 16— continued. was in a state of nature, except the timber being removed. The Act should direct that when a district had been opened up, say, twenty years, it should be brought into a certain state. Above all things, do not say that such and such things may be done, but that they shall be done. Such Act should direct that all meetings should be held in the several districts. Patea — Wairoa —The Board approves of taking the Government valuation, instead of making an annual valuation. Manawatn — Manchester —No answer. Sangitikei — Sandon and Carnarvon —No others. Wmrarapa Hast —Would strongly urge the adoption in the Roads Construction measure of the principle of providing for the construction of roads through Crown lands either before or immediately after the sale of the lands. The land revenue should provide the necessary funds. Castlepoint—This Board urge upon the Government the adoption of the principle of constructing roads through Crown lands out of the •purchase-money. Wmrarapa West — Mastertou —The Board is strongly of opinion that all the net Land Fund should be spent in opening up Crown lands either before or immediately after sale. Wavinea — Suburban North —None. Amuri —In this district it would be far belter to have only one local body, the Council, who could easily deal with matters now pertaining to the Road Board. We consider also it would be most beneficial if Government would take over main roads and bridges, as the bulk of the Koad Board funds now go to their maintenance and construction, which bears very hardly on outlying parts ; and, in fact, roughly speaking, if all property-holders were compelled to spend their present rates on their own properties, we think a far more satisfactory state of things would be arrived at. An instance of the above reasons may explain : Our Board has expended large sums of money on the main North Koad from Hurunui to the Waiau. Being new metal, and in some places perhaps not sufficiently blinded or broken small enough, the travelling public will not go on it, but prefer the tussocks, &c. The ratepayers who live off this line cry out at more expenditure on this line, as they argue, and in some instances correctly, that they are not even able to get from their own properties on the portion of the main road, at all events without considerable risk. They, therefore, prefer to see a new road overgrown with thistles and unused, instead of having, perhaps, a good bridletrack to enable them to get down from their own back runs. Ma/rlb (trough — llavdock —No. Kaikoura —-No answer. jvaikoura—No. Selwyn — Avon —No answer. Malvern—No. Kakaia —No answer. Spreydon —No answer. Springs—None. Upper Waimakariri—We think the principle of consulting the local bodies, us per circular, sound and goud, and likely to become appreci-

ated by them to the benefit of the country. Ellesmere—lt is highly desirable that all Acts under which Road Boards are acting should be consolidated. Akaroa —It is thought desirable that the Chairmen of County Councils should be created ex ojjicio Justices of the Peace for the time of holding office. Ashlurton — South Rakaia—No answer. Longbeach—Think that clause 37 of the Counties Act gives too great a facility to Councils to dissolve Road Boards. Such power should bo given only on the petition of twothirds of ratepayers representing two-thirds of the value of rateable property within the road district. Upper Ashburton —Any person selling land for cash or on deferred payments to give notice at the county chambers of the County Council of the county where the land is situated. This will give local bodies greater facilities for finding owners of properties for the purpose of rating, &c. G-eraldine — Levels —No answer. Levels (Chairman) —From extensive observation during the last twelve years in Otago, Southland, and Canterbury, my opinion is that the Road Board system, with sufficient representation, is the one best suited to the country generally in developing its roads and bridges most efficiently and economically. The representation for such purposes in a country district of large extent ia inadequate fo the proper distribution of its finances. As legislation stands, the County Councils fulfil purposes which Road Bords are unable to undertake legally; and, if powers of counties were extended, as suggested in No. 5, and the practical part of the business left to Road Boards, I think generally the system would suit the present state of the colony. Such an anomaly as Road Boards and a County Council each striking rate§ for road and bridge purposes, and carrying on each a separate system and official expense, as in the case of the Waitaki County Council with nine members, and the included Road Boards with nearly sixty members, should not be allowed to exist, as it is a duplication of expense and waste of power. Waimate —This Council is of opinion that the chief alterations required in the Counties Act is to make better provision, for raising funds for the construction and maintenance of local public works; and, to attain this object, desires to inform the Colonial Treasurer that, in the opinion of this Council, the only legitimate sources of revenue are —(1) rates ; (2) a proportion of the Land Fund ; (3) a proportion of the annual rental derived from all Crown lands within the county. And to give effect to these suggestions this Council begs respectfully to urge the Government to amend the Counties Act at once, so that the county shall receive from the Ist day of May last 50 per cent, of the yearly rental now paid to the Crown Lands Department on account of all unsold lands within the County of Waimate; and also 50 per cent, of the cash paid to the Commissioner of Crown Lands on, account of lands sold as freehold, whether for cash or on deferred payments, within the County of Waimate.

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Waitaki— Otepopo —The Board suggests —(1) That all rateable property be exempt from the operations of the pro-perty-tax ; (2) that in the event of a land-tax being imposed, the proceeds be handed over to the local bodies ; (3) that in deferred-pay-ment blocks, and other newly-sold blocks, 25 per cent, of the land sales be handed over to the Road Boards to open up roads in the blocks. Vineeni —That, in the event of the present iources of revenue being by law taken away from the counties, or varied, the Government should substitute grants-ma-id from colonial revenue equal to such loss ; and this Council further expresses a, very decided opinion that in no case ■hould the county stand in a worse position with regard to its annual revenue than it did at initiation of the Counties Act. This suggestion is made, as, on the faith of remaining in its original position with regard to revenue, this county incurred liabilities to the extent of nearly £30,000, which would not have been un-

Question 16— continued. dertaken had it been known, for instance, that the land revenue and subsidies would have been taken away. Lake —The Council objects upon following grounds to the withdrawal of gold fields revenue : That nearly two-thirds of the revenue is derived and known as gold fields revenue. That the greater portion of this Council's expenditure is upon gold fields tracks and works for the encouragement of that industry, and aiding to become a settled one of a permanent character. That the withdrawal of such taxes would relieve a class who escape many general ones, and who do not contribute a fair return either to the colony or county, viz., the Chinese, yet they share in all the benefits of general and county expenditure. The charitableaid question in the present Act requires more exact definition. Council should have power to decide the number of institutions actually required, thus doing away with local rivalries. All lands sold within the county to be first referred to County Council.

Peninsula — l 3ortobello — A consolidating Koad Board Act, which would bring the whole Acts relating to Eoad Boards into one statute, would be a great boon to Eoad Boards in general. Taieri — Seaside —County Councils Bhould bo abolished, and each county riding should form a road district, and a portion of the Land Fund given in lieu of subsidies. Taieri —All subsidies to be stopped to local bodies. Such bodies to hava power to borrow a loan and to rate themselves to pay interest and capital of the same, provided that such loan is spent within the district in which it is borrowed and benefited by the same. A portion of the Land Fund should be used in opening up main roads in Crown lands before offered for sale. Bruce — Kaitangata—No answer. Clulha— Clutha—No.

Authority : GEOBGfB DidSBUBT, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB2.