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(11.) That a clause be added to the Counties Act enabling the County Councils to procure from Municipal Corporations such information as they may require, as in the case of Road Boards and Town Boards. (12.) That local bodies be allowed to take land for gravel-pits under the Public Works Act. Correspondence, —Commissioner of Taxes, re loan of maps and valuations. —Received. Mr. Martin, five copies of each of the following documents: (1) Presidents' (Municipal Association) reports, from 10th June, 1892, to 30th June, 1894; (2) reports of proceedings at recent Municipal Association Conference. —Received. Proposed by Mr. Majendie, seconded by Mr. C. W. Brown, " That the thanks of this Conference be accorded to the local Press for their full and accurate reports of the proceedings." —Carried. Proposed by Mr. McMillan, seconded by Mr. Collins, "That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr. Yon Reden for the able and courteous manner in which he has conducted the business of the Conference."—Carried unanimously. The Conference then adjourned sine die.

A deputation consisting of the President, and Messrs. Collins, Kebbell, Majendie, and McMillan waited on the President of the Municipal Association, with the view of establishing friendly relations and affording mutual assistance, and were cordially received, the President warmly reciprocating the views expressed by the deputation.

Deputation to the Premier, Saturday, 11th August, 1894. The Premier was interviewed, on 11th August, 1894, by a deputation from the New Zealand County Councils' Association, who laid before him the resolutions passed at the recent Conference. The.deputation consisted of Messrs. McNab, M.H.R. (Southland), Lang, M.H.R. (Waikato), J. G. Wilson, M.H.R. (Manawatu), Fraser, M.H.R. (Lake), F. Majendie (Hutt), Kebbell (Horowhenua), J. McMillan (Selwyn), Collins (Kaikoura), and Forsyth (Hawera). Mr. McNab referred to the important nature of the business transacted by the Association, and emphasized the necessity for early action with reference to some of the resolutions. A list of the principal resolutions was handed to the Premier, who pointed out that the proposal of the Conference regarding the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act meant the abolition of the Charitable Aid Boards. Mr. Kebbell said that all over the colony the system of charitable aid was in a most unsatisfactory state. The Premier promised to consider the matter. Mr. Kebbell, referring to the proposal that the rate to be collected from any one owner should not be less than 2s. 6d., explained that it was not worth while to trouble some small propertyholders when the amount was only a few pence. The Premier pointed out that the proposal to amend the Loans to Local Bodies Act and the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act would mean that Government would require to have at its disposal in one year as much as it was now allowed to lend in three years. Mr. Fraser admitted the order was a large one, but thought it was the duty of the Government to give effect to the recommendations of the Conference. The Premier promised to refer the matter to the Colonial Treasurer for consideration. The deputation urged that it was very necessary that power should be given to pay the cost of sending delegates to the Conference. The Premier said that a Chairman of a County Council was allowed to draw £100 a year. Mr. Kebbell: Yes, but only for travelling-expenses. Mr. Fraser said it could not be expected that many men would come to Wellington at their own expense. The Premier said that it was impossible for the Government to bring in a Bill this session to give the power required. He was of opinion that when the Government altered the system of local government there would be no necessity for municipal or county bodies to hold conferences. Mr. Fraser pointed out that such a Bill as the Conference desired to see passed could be brought in next session, and made retrospective. The Premier said he did not think the request that the Association should be supplied with copies of Bills relating to County Councils was unreasonable. With regard to the request that the Government would print free of charge the proceedings of the Conference, he would undertake to recommend the Hon. Mr. Cadman, who was in charge of the Government Printing Office, to extend the same privileges to the Counties Association as had been extended to the Municipal Association. He recommended the deputation to lay the request for free railway-passes before the Railway Commissioners. The proposal to make provision for the impounding of pigs as well as of horses and cattle could be dealt with later on. The proposal to give counties power to take land for gravelpits was, he thought, a reasonable one. With reference to the clearing of gorse, the Premier said the matter was one which required some consideration. In regard to the question of having a county license, for hawkers, Mr. Kebbell said that if the Bill were passed the boroughs would get the greater part of the license-fees. The Premier promised to take the resolution of the Conference into consideration. He had no doubt that a compromise as regards the allocation of the money could be arrived at. The interview then terminated.