H—22

Dunedin City Renewal Fund Commissioners were empowered to make advances to the Dunedin City Council for certain purposes. The Dunedin City Council was also empowered to engage in forestry operations. The Hutt Valley Drainage Act, 1948, was amended in regard to the Hutt Valley Drainage Board's borrowing-powers and the method of calculation of the assessment of contributions from contributing local authorities. Powers were vested in the Riccarton Bush Trustees to let the building known as Riccarton House. Additional powers were conferred on the Napier Harbour Board and the Napier Borough Council. The Whangarei Milk Authority was authorized to buy and sell certain milk-products and eggs. The Balclutha Borough Council was empowered to sell certain endowment land and to utilize the proceeds from the sale in the purchase for street-widening purposes of other land in the borough. The Lower Hutt City Council was empowered to establish and maintain community centres within the City of Lower Hutt, to raise and expend loans for such purposes, and to strike a rate or a levy to cover the costs involved. (8) Subsidiary Legislation The necessary action was taken in connection with the making of the following regulations : (i) The Municipal Corporations Amending Regulations 1949. (ii) The Local Government Commission (Travelling Allowance) Regulations 1950. C. Local Government Book Publication of the book entitled " Local Government in New Zealand " which was edited by the late Mr. F. B. Stephens, was completed. Containing, as it does, the substance of the various lectures delivered at the two refresher courses held in 1947 for ex-servicemen local government officers, this book will prove invaluable to students of local government in this country, and will be of great interest to visitors from other countries who are connected with local-government work. These lectures, which were prepared by the foremost authorities in this country in their various spheres, will meet a long-felt want for an authoritative exposition of local government in New Zealand, and the demand for copies of the book is expected to be very keen. One thousand seven hundred copies of the book were printed of which 1,152 have been sold, the balance being held in stock for sale. D. Petitions The following parliamentary petitions were considered and reports duly submitted to the Local Bills Committee of the House of Representatives : (1) F. Parker and others praying that a grant be made to the Waikiwi River Board for the purpose of repaying a loan. (2) P. Ryan praying for an amendment to the Rating Act, 1925. (3) Napier Leaseholders' Association praying for grant of freehold title to buildingsections. (4) Marewa Ratepayers' Association praying for appointment of a Commission to investigate matters in the Marewa area of the Borough of Napier. E. Patriotic Purposes The last annual report mentioned negotiations which were then proceeding for the purpose of amalgamating the Sick and Wounded Funds of both world wars. During the year the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross,

8