The Washington times., 1901-07-19
AUSTRALIAN MUNICIPALITIES.

Although the principle of local govern
ment has become firmly established in
Australia. its development has been COM
paratively slow, a result OF the limited
number of population spread over extern
| sive areas. thus necessitating the various
State governments undertaking many
public works which in older and moro
| largely populated countries would be ex-
ecuted at local cost. With the establish
ment of the Australian Commonwealth n
| rapid expansion of the local government
system became inevitable, especially in
New South Wales. where the steady IN
crease of population and industrial ac-
| tivity necessitates the incorporation OF tho
whole area of the State, instead of a por-
ton.
At the close OF 1900, of the ,9s, ,s4s, 900
acres forming the State of New South
Wales only 1.S07.522 acres were incorpor-
ated, the work of Incorporation being VOL
uh'ary. instead of compulsory, on the
part OF the residents, who are always
ready. however, as district becomes suf-
hcientiy populated, to take the initiative
IN the establishment of municipality
Under the old system, the maximum
area which could be Incorporated as n
municipal district was so square miles
with population of not less than 500. To
entitie a district to Incorporation as bor-
ough 1t must have a minimum popula,ion
of loo within an area of not more than
nine square miles,
What is possible in the future is sbour
oy the figures relating to the existing
municipalities, of which there are 49, en-
bracing an area of 1.sG7, ,522 acres, against
%, representing 81, 500 acres in 1879 The
list is headed by Sydney, 2,Ss0 acres: fol-
lowed by the suburban municipalities Al
in number. covering SS.340 acres, none of
which is Of older date than 1870. IN 1901
the annual value of the ratable property
in the State was 81 sos. $50. and the capital
value e12i,54l $50. The figures were higher
previous to the great financial crisis some
few years ago. when land values were
largely inflated: but there has been an
upward tendency ever since the decline
reached its lowest point. The municipaIi-
ties are largely assisted by the State,
each being entitled to State endowment
during the first fifteen years of its exist
ence. namely pound for pound of the sum
collected by means OF the general rate
during the first five years. los per pound
during the second period of five years.
and 5s per pound during the remainder
of the term.
Further assistance Is occasionally made
in the shape of special grants, also of
road grants, toward the maintenance of
State roads running through the munich
patty. The entire liabilities of the va
rious municipalities. including loans, are
f3, ,059. .295. against which there are assets
OF the estimated value of e3,7z9. .G09 OF
the assets e2.O5lssT is represented by
lands, buildings, etc, and ss73.S27 by
revenue-producing works.
Seventeen country municipalities have
their own gas works; six others are pro-
yided with electric lighting plant; water
works have been constructed in nine mu-
inequalities. and in twenty-seven others
water works have been constructed by
the State, the cost being made a charge
against each municipality in which the
works are situated. Similar works are
being constructed in ten other munich
palities. The repayments to the State of
the cost of these works. with interest, are
spread over a period of loo years. and met,
where necessary, by a special rate.
Municipal rates are levied on nine-tenthS
OF the annual value of improved property.
and on . per cent of the capital value of
unlmDroved land, except in the city of
sydney. where the maximum percentage
on unimproyed land is per cent In
boroughs and municipal districts the rates
are struck yearly; in the city of Sydney
from time to time, as may be decided
since 1881 to 1883, but was raised to Is cd
in 1900, and this covers all expenditure;
in the other municipalities the general
rate cannot exceed I'D, but special
rates may bring the total up TO IS in the
pound, with Cd more for street watering,
and an additional rate may be levied for
water supply when the works have been
constructed by the State.
In each of the municipalities, except
that of Sydney, elections are held in Feb
ruary. the two auditors and one-third of
the aldermen being elected annually All
ratepayers, whether male or female are
entitled to vote, property assessed at an
annual value of, and under, E25. carrying
one vote: SO, two votes; ESQ, three
votes, and over ESQ four votes. With a
population between 800 and LOCO. a mu-
nicipality may be divided into two wards;
between 900 and i.000 three wards; over
1900, four wards. When a new munich
palty is formed by the union of others
the number of wards may be increased
to six Undivided municipalities are set
down as consisting of one =aa--SS. In Sgd
ney the elections are held every second
year, on the 1st of December. Unlike
those in the other Incorporated districts,
owners. occupiers. and dodgers occupying
premises for six months and over have
the right to vote.