3

H.—22

It lias been represented to the Department on several occasions that the existing classification provisions both in respect of Land Drainage and River Boards want remodelling, and the question is being carefully considered so as to make such improvements as are necessary when the Acts are being amended. Local Bodies' Finance Act. —The functions of the Department, as far as the extinction of the antecedent liability of local bodies is concerned, have now practically ceased, as local bodies have taken, or have commenced to take, the necessary steps to extinguish their antecedent liability. A few exceptional cases requiring special consideration have occurred. The powers given by section 3 (5) and section 7 of the Act have, however, been widely used. The former provision empowers the Minister to fix the overdraft borrowing-powers of a local authority during its first year of existence. In some cases, however, it has been found that a local authority could not commence its operations during its first year of existence, but when it arranged to commence them subsequently it was without available funds. Such cases have been treated on their merits and, where considered desirable, authority has been granted to the local authority to borrow by way of bank overdraft, and the Minister's action in granting such authority has subsequently been validated. Section 7 empowers the Minister to authorize borrowing by a local authority under such exceptional circumstances as flood, earthquake, fire, or other accident. The floods which have occurred throughout the Dominion within recent times have considerably affected the estimates of several local authorities, but to overcome the difficulty the provisions of section 7 have been availed of in many cases, and the local authority has been authorized to borrow the amount necessary to repair the flood damage. War Memorials. —Seven local bodies were authorized to erect war memorials under the powers given by section 15, Finance Act, 1919. By-laws of Local Bodies. —The by-laws of twelve County Councils were approved by the GovernorGeneral under section 109 of the Counties Act, 1920, and twenty by-laws were confirmed under the By-laws Act, 1910. Public Bodies' Leases Act. —Eight local bodies were declared leasing authorities under the above Act. Rating Act. —Nine local bodies adopted the system of rating on the unimproved value. A rate levied by the Onerahi Town Board was validated. Fencing Act. —An Order in Council was issued fixing the maximum half-cost of erecting certain kinds of fences. Designation of Districts Act. —The names of three districts were altered under the above Act. Local Authorities Superannuation Act. —A resolution passed by the Wellington Harbour Board increasing the amount of retiring and additional allowance payable under the above Act was confirmed. General. —As usual, several irregularities were validated in connection with proceedings taken by local bodies under the Local Bodies' Loans and other Acts, and a number of local bodies made by-laws under the Motor Regulation Act, these by-laws being forwarded to the Minister in accordance with the Act. Legislation. Dining the 1923 session the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act was passed, and amendments were passed to the Land Drainage and Municipal Corporations Acts. As usual, several matters affecting this Department were dealt with in the Appropriation, Finance, and " washing-up " Acts, quite a number of these matters being validations of proceedings taken by local bodies. There were quite a number of local Acts passed touching directly or indirectly on matters administered by the Department, and a report was made to the Local Bills Committee on all such local Bills. One of the most important local Acts passed was the Wellington City Empowering and Special Hates Consolidation Act, the effect of which Act was to authorize the Wellington City Council to consolidate several of its special rates, and in lieu thereof levy one special rate over the whole of the city. Land Agents Act. One thousand one hundred and eighty-four licenses were issued and eleven transfers granted during the year. Cases of defalcation by land agents are still being brought under the notice of the Department, with a request that the bond given on behalf of the land agent be enforced. In one case dealt with during the year the amount for which the land agent failed to account to his principals was estimated by the Department at approximately £1,000. The bond-money was distributed among the creditors, but as the amount or shortages was considerably in excess of the bond-money— i.e., £500 —a dividend only was able to be paid to each creditor. Animals Protection and Game Act. As usual, open seasons for game-shooting and deer-stalking were provided in a number of acclimatization districts. Protection on deer has been removed in portions of seven acclimatization districts in the South Island, and to assist in the thinning-out of the animals the Government has made a grant of £1,000. This amount has been apportioned among the districts concerned in proportion to the estimated number of deer in each district, and is being distributed by way of bonus for each deer-tail submitted. An open season was again fixed, for opossums in a number of districts, and the season proved a very good one. Over one hundred thousand skins, were taken, a royalty of fs. being payable on each skin. The prospects for the coming season arc again good. The Department is watching the whole question very carefully so that if there is any indication of too great a thinning-out of the animals protection can be wholly restored, or if, on the other hand, they become a nuisance, what further steps should be taken to thin them out. Meanwhile applications to capture the animals for liberation in other parts of the Dominion have been declined.