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1935. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1935.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

g lß; __ «Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 4th September, 1935. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1935. J have, &c., The Hon. Sir Alexander Young, K.C.V.0., J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary. Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT.

Local Government. Counties.—The boundaries of the Hutt and Featherston Counties were altered by the transfer of lands. Four County Councils passed special orders altering riding boundaries and adjusting representation Twelve County Councils passed special orders under the authority of the Counties Amendment Act, 1931, abolishing the system of separate riding finance in their respective counties. This made a total of thirty-five County Councils to avail themselves of that legislation. Certain powers of Borough Councils with respect to water-supply were conferred on the Otamatea County Council. The time for the preparation of the valuation roll of mining property m the Grey County WaS County : Close contact was maintained with the County Commissioner in connection with the administration of the Matakaoa County, and he made regular reports thereon to the Department. One meeting of the committee representing the principal local creditors of the county was held. The Commissioner attended this meeting. By section 2of the Local Legislation Act, 1934, the term of office of the Commissioner was extended till May, 1938. lam pleased to report that at the close of the year a substantial portion of the county's debts had been paid, and considerable progress had been made towards restoration of the financial position of the county. jßoroughs.—Two new boroughs, Matamata and Te Puke, were constituted, and the usual action taken for the election of mayors and councillors. Each of these boroughs was formerly a town district. The Greymouth Borough and the Cobden Town District were united. The boundaries of five boroughs were altered by the inclusion therein of certain lands. A petition for the exclusion of lands from the Carterton Borough was not granted. Three financial adjustments consequent upon boundary alterations were made. The Woodville Borough Council passed a special order reducing the number of councillors from nine to seven. The Birkenhead Borough Council was authorized to fix water charges according to the quantity of water used by consumers. An irregularity in connection with a special meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council was validated. In March, 1931, shortly after the disastrous Hawke's Bay earthquake, a Proclamation was issued as an emergency measure giving the Wairoa, Napier, and Hastings Borough Councils, in collaboration with technical officers of the Public Works Department, complete control over building operations in their respective boroughs. This Proclamation was revoked. The Wellington City Council made a comprehensive set of by-laws for the purpose of regulating and controlling the design and construction of buildings m Wellington in relation to their resistance to earthquake shocks. These by-laws were made m full collaboration with Departments affected.

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