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tives their travelling-expenses, as under the present Boad Boards Act the Boards funds are not available for such purposes. (3.) That this meeting is of opinion that, should the present system of local government be retained., the Government should make provision for putting the Boad Boards on a better footing financially, either by increased subsidy or grants ; also, that the Boad Boards Act should be amended so as to allow Boad Board members to receive some compensation for time spent on road-inspection, laying off works, supervision, &c, inasmuch as they are at a disadvantage when compared with members of other local governing bodies. (4.) That this meeting is of opinion that the present county area should be lessened as being too large, and causing expenditure of too great a proportion of revenue in administration. (5.) That the Government be asked to pass a Bill giving ratepayers in road districts or county districts the option, upon a vote being taken, of abolishing or retaining Councils or Boards. (6.) That copies of these resolutions be forwarded to the Bight Hon. the Premier (through the member of the district), the Hon. C. H. Mills, and Messrs. Graham and McKenzie, M's.H.B. (7.) That the secretary forward copies of these resolutions, also copies of all correspondence relative thereto, to the several Boad Boards in Waimea County. Waimea West Road Board. —I have to acknowledge receipt of telegram re Local Government Bill, and in reply wish to state that the various Boards in the Nelson District held a conference in regard to the Local Government Bill, and have forwarded resolutions decided upon at that meeting for your consideration ; and we trust you will give them your earnest consideration.— C. F. Buss, Secretary. Wainui Road Board. —For reply see Akaroa Boad Board. Waipaoa Road Board. —Board strongly object to proposed extension of franchise under Counties Bill to residential and mining qualification, and are of opinion it should only be freehold and rating qualification ; also urge that road districts merged into Council should be entitled to have a representation in Council.—H. E. Tiffen, Chairman. Waipara Road Board. —Board strongly insists on necessity for maintaining road districts where administration from county centre would be inadequate. Their district is large and remote from such centre, and therefore local administration can alone secure proper attention to requirements of ratepayers, and to petty details important to satisfactory maintenance of roads and execution of other duties. Board trusts its district, being exceptional, may be specially recommended for continuance.—George Clifford, Chairman. Waipawa Road Board. —Board unanimously resolved against abolition of Boad Boards; also, a meeting of representatives of Waipawa, Taradale, Kaikora North, and Ormondville Town Boards; Waipukurau, Norsewood, Kakapau, and Patangata Boad. Boards ; Taradale and Waipawa Biver Boards, resolved that Boad Boards' rating and voting remain as at present. Members present from all these Boards.—Stephen McGrecoy, Chairman. Waipukurau Road Board.—See preceding paragraph. Waipaiva Town Road Boards. —Meeting delegates Town Boad Boards, Waipawa, resolved, is desirable provision be made in Bill for purpose retaining Boad Boards at present constituted. If fresh local-government legislation be passed, ratepayers town districts to have power electing Committee, and license-fees be part of Town Board fund. The passing of Bill will not be to the interest of country generally; that local government will not be carried out as judiciously as under present local bodies.—J. Williams, Chairman. Waipipi Road Board. —Waipipi Boad Board are opposed to any alteration in local government. They consider Boad Boards are preferable to County Councils, also that proposed franchise would be complicated ; electors should have the right of deciding if members be elected for three years or as at present.—A. M. Barriball, Chairman. Wairau Road Board. —My Board considers question of retention or otherwise of existing Board districts should be decided by poll of ratepayers; that, instead of a freehold qualification, the existing qualification under present Counties and Boads Acts should be adopted, giving ratepayers votes in each riding in which their property is situated ; that question of amended boundaries of Boad Boards be relegated to Commission ; that the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act should be left in the hands of the Boad Boards or County Councils, as the case might be.—B. F. Goulter, Chairman. Wairoa Road Board. —Instructed by Wairoa Boad Board, Manukau County, reply your telegram Counties Bill: Board approves Bill, only wishes ratepayers have power retain or adopt Boad Board, suspend Counties Act, also enlarge status of Board as local authorities. Board efficient and economical; only ratepayer vote; triennial election, as at present; no deposit for candidates.—Sam. Browne, Clerk. Wairoa Road Board. —In reference to the Counties Bill, 1901 : I am directed by the Wairoa Boad Board to ask you to be so good as to give Boad Boards full status as local authorities; and also to allow ratepayers to suspend the Counties Act where necessary, and have no County Council. This is as it is at present in Manukau County (this county), and I think our roads are better than in any other county, and more efficiently and cheaply controlled.—Sam. A. Browne, Clerk. Waitara West Road Board. —This Board are unanimously of opinion that the existing system should be continued, as they consider that if Boad Boards are merged in counties only main roads will be attended to, and that the expense of administration will be increased ; members of Boards giving services gratuitously.—T. Weston, Chairman. Waitoa Road Board. —Question of retaining road districts should be submitted to ratepayers. Proposed franchise cumbersome and costly ; should be same as in " Counties Act, 1886." 801 l should be made once a year, and unalterable until next roll comes in force. All roads should be vested in Crown as at present, for obvious reasons. General rates should be uniform throughout county or subdivided road district.—William P. Chepmell, Chairman.