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The effect of another provision was to grant to each of the Canterbury and Massey Agricultural Colleges exemption from rating liability in respect of 50 acres of land occupied by each college and to make all other land possessed by the colleges liable for rates. The effect of a further section dealing with rating is to postpone in certain circumstances the coming into force of a change in the rating system determined by resolution of the local authority or by a poll of ratepayers. The Town Boards Amendment Act, 1910, was amended to provide for the reduction from four to two of the number of advertisements which a Town Board is required to publish in advertising a special order. Provision was made authorizing City and Borough Councils, Town Boards, and -certain Road Boards to make contributions towards a fitting tribute to the courage and fortitude shown by Londoners during the war. Local authorities were authorized by a further provision to permit any serviceman disabled by war service to travel free of charge on any passenger transport service. This section also permits other local authorities to contribute towards the cost of such travel of disabled servicemen resident in its district. One section of particular importance to local authorities made provision for expenditure by local authorities in or towards the establishment and maintenance of memorials of the Second World War. Further provisions authorized local authorities and public bodies to expend moneys for the purpose of contributing towards the relief of distress caused by the disastrous floods in Great Britain during the year 1947, and validated expenditure involved in welcoming Field Marshal the Right Honourable the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG., G.C.8., D.S.O. (3) Local Legislation Act, 1946 As finally passed, this Act contained forty-five clauses covering a wide field of localgovernment activity. (4) Local Acts Eleven local Bills were submitted to the Department for examination and report. In accordance with the usual practice, the Department was represented at the meetings of the Local Bills Committee when these Bills were under consideration. Two of the Bills conferred additional powers with respect to water-supply on the Wellington City 'Council and the Paeroa Borough Council. Consequent on the alteration of the date for -the holding of local-body elections, two Bills were passed amending the Auckland Metropolitan Drainage Act, 1944, and the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Amendment Act, 1916. One of the Bills which aroused particular interest at the time amended the Riccarton Bush Act, 1914, to enable the extension of the Riccarton Bush and enlarge the purposes and control thereof. Powers were conferred on the Riverton Borough Council to divert the accumulated income from harbour property towards the provision of water-supply, drainage, and fire protection. Another measure authorized the Central Waikato Electric-power Board to raise a special loan, without a poll of ratepayers, for the erection of buildings, housing and storage of plant, machinery, and stores. Two other Bills authorized the Reporoa Drainage Board to rate on an acreage basis and set up the Canterbury Museum Trust Board to control the Canterbury Museum. Another Bill authorized local authorities to raise special loans without polls for the purpose of assisting the funds of the Auckland Centennial Memorial Park Board. The constitution of the Ohai Railway Board was altered by a further Bill so as to make provision for the appointment of two members of the Board by the Minister of Mines.

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