The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-02-17
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Of the Colony to that effect The Dor
ough corporation Is not affected by
the consolidation and remains intact
as a controlling power In the new
formed city. The section also provides
for alterations in the boundaries Of
boroughs- and places the power TO
change the limits of borough corpo-
ration in the hands of the people, and
gives them the right to do nearly
everything they please in this respect
which does not conflict with the gen.
eral provisions of the act
Division 5 is of General Powers
The section treats of the general pow
ers possessed by the borough or city
council In the administration of the
rules of government Under it the
council is given the power to enter
into any contract made necessary IN
the course of administration The act
also hedges the people about with sew
eral wholesome precautionary cheeks
on the sweeping power thus accorded
the council
One peculiar provision Of this sec
ton is the paragraph referring to the
accomplishment of public works on
the cooperative plan. 1t specially
gives the power to the Council to
make such contracts and allows them
the discretion of their own wills in
doing the work. 1t requires no bids,
no statement Of value or amount nj the
work and does away with the inter
vention of a contractor. The wages
to be paid for such work by the coun-
Gil is only fixed by the custom Of the
country.
The scheme seems to be trifle too
much like idealism to be entirely prac
ticable in this country but under the
to work to perfection.
The council is given the power to
lease desirable property for a long
term of years but the limit is placed
at sc years without giving the lessee
any privilege of a renewal. or for a
shorter period under stronger ten
ure. The hnal section of the division
reads as follows: THE council may
compound. compromise or submit to
arbitration any claim, debt, sum of
money, action, or demand made, ow
"
the corporation"
Division 6 deals with the particular
powers of the council.
This is by far the largest chapter In
the act and taxes up the description of
the working rules of the governing
body in the borough anu cities with
regard to the various speciai and par
ticular acts required of them. Under
this division the corporation is given
the absolute right of owner
ship in the streets, highways, bound
aries, roads, ferries, bridges, channels,
drainage and sanitation both public
and private, waterworks, protective
works, the supply of electric light and
power and also gas and a hundred and
one other utilities.
Some of these valuable rights still
vest in the municipalities of the Unit
ed States but the residents of New
Zealand have them all in the treasury
of their commOnwealths. The New
Zealand corporations have the power
to do pretty much as they please with |
regard to these utilities and in addi- !
ton have the supervision of nearly |
CIV Sl lAihS WhfSA hco a OCai ms OA thO
public health. pleasure and recreation.
One radical innovation is outlined |
in this section of the Act: A system |
Of model lodging houses for working |
people of both sexes, to be operated |
under the ownership and control of |
the council of a borough or city, is |
provided. Under this system, small
fee is charged against the dodgers and |
the income goes into the District Fund. |
The Act also makes similar arrange |
ments for the accommodation of fami- /
lies.
Division z is of the general provi- |
sions as to private works. In it, the
council is given the power to require
private persons to make such altera-
tons and repairs in their property ~
seem necessary for the safety of pub
lie health ana comfort. 1t provides
that if the owner of private property
does not comply with the orders of the
council or is unknown to that body.
that the council may then take up the
work and charge the amount expended
and slight penalty for non-compli
ance against the property. where i
must remain as a lien until paid by
the owner or satisfied out of the pro-
ceeds of the sale of the property.
The final division of the Act treats
of subsidiary and incidental provi-
sions. 1t covers everything not pro-
vided for by the other divisions and
has several elastic clauses which can
be made to apply to anything the law
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