A.—lo.

34

Clifton—lf Native lands in this district were occupied by Europeans (say about 14,000 acres), their rateable value would be at least £5 per acre; and we see no reason why they should not be rated at that. Waitara East—Not suitable; too much borrowing powers are now given to local bodies. Waste lands of the Crown : After paying the purchasemoney and survey expenses, &c, the remainder should be applied in opening up roads to the land sold, in order to get a settled population on as early as possible, otherwise the land will be valueless, and not readily occupied. Inglewood—They will suit this district exactly. Patea — The Council indorse clause 3, page 2, of circular, with the addition of the words " and maintenance." In the Patea County the main roads are cut up by Government for public works, and by the trade of the adjoining borough and county, who in no way assist in maintenance ; but, on the contrary, the borough receives all auctioneers' and publicans' licenses, which were formerly paid to the county. The funds of the local bodies could also be relieved by Government either allowing them access to Government gravel-pits, or supplying gravel to. them at a cost that will cover cost of labour, &c. That, previous to Government land being sold, a sum of money, to be deducted from proceeds of sale, should be handed over to the local body for the purpose of making roads into the said land, and after the sale a further portion of the proceeds should be handed over for the same purpose, provided there is any left after deducting cost of road first made, price of land, cost of survey, &c. Hawera —No answer. Hawera—Yes ; the provisions of these Bills would suit the district. Waimate — That the Government should form, bridge, and metal all roads required to open up Crown lands for sale. Ngaire—-That the Government form, bridge, and gravel all roads required to open up lands to be sold or leased by the Crown. Wangatmi —lt meets with the decided approval of the Council, more especially the Native Lands Rating Bill. Waitotara —The Board approves of the Bill generally. Mangitikei —Very suitable for this district as proposed. Rangitikei —■ Very suitable for this district as proposed. Lethbridge—Consider that the Bills mentioned would meet all requirements of this township. Manawatu —Yes ; but, in making roads through Crown lands, district roads Bhould be made, as well as main roads, out of the price of the land. In last year's Bill this principle was affirmed, but the paragraph relating to this subject in the Treasurer's circular would seem to propose that main roads only should be made out of proceeds of sale. We also think that tramways should be allowed to be constructed under the same provision as roads, where desired by the ratepayers instead of roads. That district roads are hardly treated as compared with main roads: three-fourths of cost of main roads are borne by the colony, while district roads have to be altogether provided for locally. A saiall grant-in-aid, say one-third, would render the disproportion of assistance less glaring.

Question 15 — continued.

Manawatu —In the main suitable ;. but consider too wide a distinction between main and district roads. Would suggest that at least onethird be granted to district roads as subsidy, as settlers on district roads are too heavily handicapped. We would further urge that in new blocks all roads—both main and district —be either made or guaranteed out of the Laud Fund, and that all road-lines be at least cleared prior to the sale of the land; and that roads through bush country have a prior claim on the fund, as there can be no development of such a country without roads. Otaki — The provisions of the Acts named would suit this district. Halcombe—Well suited to this district. Hutt —Yes ; will suit. Kilbirnie—We have not the Bills, and therefore cannot say. Kaiwara —Yes. Wairarapa West —Would suit our disdrict fairly well, and the passing of some such measure during the present session is a matter of extreme urgency. Featherston —No answer. Carterton —No answer. Waimea —The provisions of the Roads Construction Bill, if amended by granting larger assistance to Highway Boards for the construction of district roads, would be very beneficial. The operation of the Crown Lands Rating Bill, as originally proposed, seems well adapted to the aiding of outlying districts where population is scanty and roads are greatly needed, instead of further enriching districts already rich and populous, and leaving poor districts to their poverty—-the result of the subsidy system. Motueka — The provisions of the Roads Construction and Native Lands Rating Bills would prove of great benefit to this and adjacent districts for—(l.) A great deal of the land is of very inferior quality, making the amount of rates raised \erj small to maintain long lines of road. (2.) Crown lands are unavailable for settlement through want of roads. (3.) The Natives are yearly becoming repossessed of lands once leased to Europeans, thereby reducing the amount of rates levied for road purposes. Upper Motueka —Roads Construction Bill seems fair. The Crown Lands Rating Bill, as originally proposed, would, if carried into effect, materially promote the prosperity of this district. Waimea —Yes. Richmond —We cordially agree with propositions in 3 and 4 of circular, but the quantity of land is so limited in this district that the rates that could be levied on them would be much less in amount than subsidies now received from the Government. Pangatotara—Eirst, does not suit our district ; second, any rating of Crown land in this district would benefit it. Rikawa —Yes. Lower Moutere—So far as doing away with yearly valuation, which in this district is unnecessary. Collingwood —Suitable for the requirements of this district. Collingwood—Suitable for this district. Buller —Yes; provided the rate is increased. Inangahua —The provisions of the Roads

Construction and Crown and Native Lands Eating Bills would suit this county, but it should extend to unincorporated towns as well as to boroughs. Grey —That neither of these Bills will suit this district. That all boroughs situated within the boundaries of a county should be made to pay a moiety of the the rates collected in the town towards the maintenance of county roads. Marlborough —No answer. Awatere —Yes; they would be beneficial. Oniaka—Quite satisfied with the present Road Board system. Pelorus — The Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill would suit our district very well; but not favourable to the Roads Construction Bill. Picton—Yes. Spring Creek—The Native Lands Rating Bill is objectionable on principle. With regard to Roads Construction Bill, the only legitimate fund from which subsidies can be given to local bodies is the land revenue. Wairau—The Native Lands Rating Bill is objectionable in principle. With regard to the Roads Construction Bill, the only legitimate fund from which subsidies can be given to local bodies is the land revenue. Lower Wairau —Not interested. Pukaka River Board—Yes. Kaikoura —No answer. Kaikoura River Board — Bill not suited to our district. Ashley —No answer. Eyreton—No answer. Mandeville —No reply Oxford—No answer. Waipara—The main roads in our district being made, it would not be much affected by the Bills. West Eyreton—No reply. Selwyn —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. At present property may change owner immediately after the roll is signed, but there is no power to insert the new claimant until the lists are again revised, thereby preventing the real owner from voting on questions involving his interests. Courtenay—No answer. Heatheote —See reply to No. 16. Lincoln—Not suitable. Riccarton—Roads Construction Bill not applicable to suburban districts like this. Rating Bill suitable, with less exemptions on Government property. Ternpleton—No. South Waimakariri —Do not affect this Board. AJcaroa —No answer. Little River —Yes; as the Board is not likely to take advantage of its clauses without the consent of the ratepayers. The Crown and Native Lands Bill would suit, provided local bodies had power to rate the European tenants of Natives. Pigeon Bay—No answer. Port Victoria —No answer. AsKburton —Unable to give an opinion. Wakanui —Would not suit this district. Mount Somers- —Not suitable. G-eraldine —No answer. Geraldine —No answer. Mount Cook — Road construction : Legislation is urgently needed on this head. In this district many miles of main roads and other roads through Crown lands were cou-