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being suspended. The whole area of the county is under Boad Boards. Peninsula-Portobello-Tomahawk and Otago Heads: There are no county roads, the main roads being treated and managed as district roads. Provision should be made to meet these special conditions, and the subsidy be paid to the Boards as at present. I see there is no special provision for this county. Is any such suggested ? If not, what is to be the position ? If the county is to come into life with Council, Chairman, officers, &c, there will be nothing to govern. Section 285, Injuries and Nuisances :We have much trouble with the nightsoil. The roads are at times in a terrible mess from leaking carts and filthy contractors. If the addition I suggest is made to subsection (7) the provisions of section 291 will apply, and we will be able to get at the persons who permit the nuisance. The provisions of the Public Works, Boad Boards, and Police Offences Acts are deficient in this respect. Section 319 : The extension of this section to include Parts XXV., XXVIII., XXXV., and XXXVI. would greatly widen and improve the powers of Boards. Part XXV. is especially necessary, in order to give us full powers over county roads, private roads, rights-of-way, &c. I said we have no county roads— i.e., in the full acceptation of the term—but the interpretation of "district road" under the Public Works Act is restricted, and Boards would be the better to have all these full powers certainly in this county. The same applies to the other parts named. There is no general provision as in the existing Act giving Boards all the powers of Councils in suspended counties. I think some such provision should be made to meet our special conditions. I telegraphed to Mr. E. G. Allen, member for this district, asking him to see my telegram to you and to act in our interest. I am sending him a duplicate hereof, and will thank you to afford him all information, as I do not know whether he is on your Committee. Thanking you for your courtesy in the past, and in anticipation-, and feeling sure that with your large personal knowledge and experience in these matters, our interests will be well cared for in your hands.—Alexander Swaill, Chairman. —-Boad Boards have been in existence in this county for about thirty-five years, and have proved entirely satisfactory. We do not wish to part with any of our powers or privileges, or be merged into any larger body, as we work upon the most economical lines possible. Tuaku Districts, Raglan County. —lnhabitants Baglan County have gradually abolished Boad Board, except one that dies this year. Have twenty years' experience Boards (Town, Boad), County. Unhesitatingly assert county administration ahead Boards—instance Manukau, adjoining county, with twenty-seven Boards, management £700 yearly; 135 members ; meeting monthly. All civil engineers on election. Twenty-seven clerks. Hope Premier keeps stiff back, and reduces number local bodies. What's in a name, county or district ? Statesman-like legislation wanted. With assured finance area not too large. Bulk of existing counties all right.—Conradi, for Tuaku districts. Tuhikaramea Road Board. —We are strongly in favour of retaining Boad Boards. They have done good work in the past at small expense. Should be very sorry to see them abolished. We strongly disapprove of the residential qualification. We consider the present qualifications more just to the ratepayers.^ —F. J. Vickers, Chairman. 'Upper Ashburton Road Board. —My Boad Board desires to be retained under the proposed Counties Bill, as the district is well satisfied with the working of the present system, which does not clash with existing County Council. They object to residential occupants being on the roll.— G. J. Harper, Chairman. Upper Mahurangi Road Board. —Special meeting Board to-day; resolution carried unanimously : This Board desires strongly to protest against any interference with the present roaddistrict system, the experience of this Board going to prove that Boad Boards have worked more satisfactorily in these districts than the county system under the Board; we have five engaged to supervise roads, as against two by the County over the same area. We feel that extended powers should be given to road districts, and county system should not overlap road districts.—John Barton, Chairman. Upper Moutere Road Board. —For reply see Waimea West Boad Board. Upper Wangaehu Road Board. —Upper Wangaehu Boad Board, Wanganui, wishes to retain its district as provided in Part XL, Division 11, Counties Bill. Our valuation is £350,000, and increasing rapidly. Becommend that Board be given power to levy larger general rate than provided by section 83 ; also, voting-powers for special loans should remain as at present, otherwise will lead to excessive borrowing: see section 110, subsection (3). —Mannington, Chairman. Wade Road Board. —First, object strongly to any alteration of existing Boad Boards. Local bodies can best manage local affairs; work executed cheaper than County Council could; might have to wait for months for Council to do the work, therefore cost more. Second, only names on the ratepayers' roll to have a vote. Third, Boad Boards should have full subsidy. Fourth, Boad Boards are an assistance and help to the County Councils. —Joseph W- Oram, Chairman Waikohoit Road Board. —Waikohou Boad Board, Te Karaka, and residents of district in favour of retention of Boad Boards. —Ingpen, Secretary. Waimea County Road Board. —ln reply to yours of the 14th instant, I beg to state that a conference of Waimea County Boad Boards was held here on the 10th instant. Copies of resolutions have been forwarded to the Hon. the Premier, the Hon. C. H. Mills, Messrs. John Graham and B. MeKenzie. The copies contain all suggestions made by united meeting of Boards. Kindly apply to Mr. Graham, member for Nelson.—J. D. Benke, Chairman; Waimea County Road Boards Conference. —Besolutions: (1.) That this meeting is of opinion that there should be no interference with the system of Boad Board administration without the consent, by vote, of the ratepayers, and that no conference has any right to take any steps in alteration without their consent. (2.) That in future, when any conference is held where matters concerning Boad Boards are likely to be brought forward, the Boad Boards should be invited to send representatives to such conferences, and that the. Government be asked to grant representa-4-1. 9.