A.—loa.

6

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.