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1.—9.

individual; but in case of dispute between the local authority and the Government the provisions of subsection (7) of section 195 shall not apply. That the following words be added to section 196 : " As originally laid out, provided that no owner shall be liable to dedicate such strip of land if the local authority certifies that the same is not required." That each road district constitute a riding of the county, and that each riding shall have a representative on the County Council. That in section 193, subsection (3), (p), after "sell the surplus spoil of roads," the following words be inserted: "or retain the same on the side of the road within six feet of the side drain for future use without liability." That the County Council shall, in conjunction with retained road districts, define main roads ascertained from each retained district, the annual cost of maintenance of such roads, and strike a general county rate to cover the same, and allocate to Boad Boards pro ratd. That after section 347 the following be inserted : " That section XIII. of ' The Public Works Act Amendment Act, 1900,' be incorporated in the Counties Bill, 1901." That in clause 130, subsection (2), (c), of " The Public Works Act, 1894," after the words " making special regulations," the following words be inserted: "or imposing special fees." That any retained Boad Board may buy or acquire land, open up roads, or carry out any public work, and expend moneys for such purposes within or out of its district, if the Board is of opinion that the same is beneficial to the district. That the provisions of section 21 of " The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1886," as amended by section 3 of the Amendment Act, 1900, be incorporated in the new Counties Act, and shall also apply to retained Boad Boards. That, after the raising of a loan or striking a special rate in any district or portion thereof, if any property is acquired by the Government or by any institution, body, or person exempt from payment of rates under " The Bating Act, 1894," or any other Act, such property shall, notwithstanding such sale, continue liable for all special rates thereafter levied in respect of such loan or otherwise ; this provision also to apply to any property sold after the raising of any loans now existing. That the law at present in force relating to triennial elections of members is preferable to all members retiring every two years, or if any change is made it would be better that one-half of the Board should retire every year, without any general elections. That Boad Boards be the local authority under " The Tramways Act, 1894," instead of County Councils, provided that if any dispute shall arise between any tramway company and any local authority the dispute shall be referred to the County Council for arbitration. That the following words be inserted after section 268 in the proposed Act: " Provided also that the waterrace district shall contribute to the maintenance of rivers, drains, and watercourses into which such water empties outside such districts." That this conference enters a strong protest against the Bating on Unimproved Values Act being made compulsory. That, as regards retained Boad Boards, the proposed Act, inst.ead of consolidating the law relating to such Boards, makes the same more complicated, as several of the Acts now in force are expressly to be repealed ; 'and yet it is provided that retained Boad Boards, in addition to the powers given them by the new Act, are to have the same powers as regards roads, public works, raising loans, and making by-laws, &c, as such Boards at present possess under existing enactments ; and this conference is therefore of opinion that all powers intended to be given to retained Boad Boards should be consolidated and incorporated in the new Act. This conference, being of opinion that Boad Boards as at present constituted, with the additional powers given by the new Act, and as altered by the foregoing resolutions, is the best form of local government for the County of Selwyn, suggests that, if the alterations and amendments proposed in the above resolutions are inapplicable throughout New Zealand generally, then that same be made to apply to all Boad Boards to which same has been found applicable. South Malvern and East Malvern Road Boards. —Following resolution was passed at meetings of ratepayers in East and South Malvern Boad Districts: That the ratepayers of the East and South Malvern Districts protest against an}- interference with the constitution or boundaries of these districts. If your Committee requires any further evidence a delegate would attend from each district. If delegates required, kindly wire when it will be necessary to attend at Wellington. —D. McMillan, Geo. F. Wright, Chairmen. South Rakaia Road Board. —Suggest Boad Boards being retained with fuller powers, unless by expressed wish of ratepayers of present districts, and not at will of Governor in Council. Franchise to remain as at present, and not as suggested by proposed Counties Bill. All Government subsidies on rates collected in road districts to be paid in full to Boards, instead of half to Councils as at present. Boad Boards to prepare their own valuation-rolls and maintain same without interference of Government Land Valuation Department.—John Lambie, Chairman. Spring Creek Road Board. —Spring Creek and Picton Boad Boards are opposed to Counties Bill, and wish to be left alone, and not abolish present Boards.—J. H. Bedwood, Chairman. Spring Greek Road Board. —l have the honour to convey to you the following resolutions framed by this Board on the proposed Counties Bill, 1901, as follows : (1.) That these Boards be retained as at present, members being of opinion that the management cannot be excelled, especially from financial point of view. (2.) That they are of opinion that none but freeholders should have a vote at election of members. (3.) If amalgamated, that freeholders shall have a vote in each riding.—J. Fawcett, Secretary. ■ Springs Road Board. —ln reply to your telegram of the 14th instant re proposed Counties Bill, asking this Board to submit any objection or recommendation for or against the measure, I have the honour to inform you that this Springs Boad Board has, in conjunction with other Boad Boards in the Selwyn County, held a conference to consider the matter as affecting Boad Boards, and I forward herewith a printed circular containing resolutions or recommendations adopted at that conference, with which my Board is in sympathy, and would respectfully suggest that the proposed Bill should be amended accordingly.—Henry Neale, Clerk. Stoke Road Board. —This Board objects to any interference or alteration as existing at present without first taking a vote of the ratepayers. —W. Coleman, Chairman. Suburban North Road Board. —A special meeting Suburban North Boad Board, held 17th