Nov. 18.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3869

(2.) Such balance-sheet and statement shall be signed by the Commissioners, and clauses 35 and 36 of these regulations shall, mutatis mutandis, apply thereto.

39. (1.) The Council shall, on or before the 30th day of June in each year, cause to be prepared and sent to the Minister of Finance a copy of the balance-sheet as signed by the Mayor for the year ending on the 31st day of March previous, together with such other accounts and particulars as the Minister of Finance directs.

(2.) The Mayor of every borough who wilfully neglects or refuses to comply with the provisions of this regulation shall be liable to a fine of £5 for every such neglect or refusal.

(3.) The Minister of Finance shall lay such accounts and particulars before Parliament within ten days after he has received the same, if Parliament is in session, and, if not, then within ten days after its first meeting at the next session thereof.

TRAVELLING-EXPENSES.

40. (1.) The Council may out of its District Fund reimburse to the Mayor and to every Councillor the actual travelling-expenses incurred by him in travelling a distance exceeding three miles (counting one way only) to attend to any business of the Council to which he has been authorized by the Council to attend.

(2.) No expenses shall be reimbursed to any Councillor incurred in travelling for the purpose of attending any meeting of the Council or any committee thereof.

PETITIONS.

41. The following provisions shall apply to all petitions made under the said Act or any amendment thereof, whether to the Governor or to the Council:—

(a.) Except in cases where it is otherwise expressly provided, every petition shall be signed by at least three-fifths of the electors of the borough if the subject-matter thereof relates to the entire borough, or by at least three-fifths of the electors of such ward or wards of the borough as may be affected by the subject-matter of the petition.

(b.) The signatures to every petition shall be verified by declaration in the form following, made and signed by some person or persons residing in the district or area to which the petition refers:—

“I, A. B., of , do hereby declare that the signatures affixed to the above petition, initialled by me [or which I have marked (describing the mark)], are the genuine signatures of the persons whose signatures they purport to be, and that those persons are electors of the [Name the district].”

BRIDGES AND FERRIES.

42. Tolls payable at any bridge or ferry under sections 198 to 205 of the said Act may be leased in manner and subject to the terms and conditions following:—

(a.) The letting shall be for a period not exceeding one year.

(b.) The letting shall be by public auction or sealed tenders, after due public notice given.

(c.) Security to the satisfaction of the Council shall be given for the rent to be paid.

(d.) The scale of tolls shall not be altered during the lease without the consent of the lessee, except on payment of compensation.

(e.) The lessee, or any person appointed by him in writing, shall be deemed to be a Collector appointed by the Council.

43. If any person refuses to pay a toll for which he is liable, the Collector may seize and distrain any cattle or vehicle in respect of which such toll is payable, or any goods carried in such vehicle or on such cattle.

44. If such toll, with reasonable charges for the seizure and distress, and for the maintenance of such cattle, is not paid within four days, the Collector may sell such cattle, vehicle, or goods by public auction, and apply the proceeds of the sale in payment of such toll and charges, and shall pay the residue, if any, to the owner on demand.

45. Instead of making such seizure and distress, the Collector may recover from any person refusing to pay a toll for which he is liable the amount of such toll, with such compensation for loss of time in recovering the same as the Court thinks fit.

46. Every person is liable to a fine not exceeding £5 who—

(a.) Leaves a road and returns thereto within 300 yards on either side of the toll-gate with intent to evade paying toll.

(b.) Hires or plies for hire in any boat or punt across a river, stream, or creek within half a mile in a straight line from any public ferry in working-order, or bridge open for traffic across the same, at which tolls are payable.

47. Every person is liable to a fine not exceeding £5 who attempts by force to evade the payment of any toll, or resists or obstructs the Collector in the execution of his duty.

48. Every Collector is liable to a fine not exceeding £5 who—

(a.) Demands a larger toll than is payable by law;

(b.) Does not maintain in a legible condition the board required to be maintained by section 199 of the said Act;

(c.) Refuses, when required so to do, to give his name, or gives a false name, to any person from whom he has demanded toll;

(d.) Is drunk when in discharge of his duty;

(e.) Obstructs any person in passing when the lawful toll has been tendered;

(f.) Uses any abusive or offensive language to any person passing.