Bill No. 25 of 1943. A BILL. TO AMEND THE DRAINAGE DISTRICTS ACT. NOTE. The corresponding former

section of this Act provided that if a district had no debenture indebtedness, one-third 'Of the land 'Owners might petition for dissolution of the dis­ trict, and if three-fifths of the votes cast at an election on the question were in favour of dissolution, the Minister was required to dissolve the district. It is felt by the Drainage Council that such a dissolution might lead to serious re­ sults and there would be no body whi'ch would be responsible for the upkeep of ditches, bridges,culverts, et,c., or for de­ struction of weeds. The object of the substituted

section is to make the granting of a vote conditional on the ap­ proval of the Drainage Council, the granting of which approval will be subject to the council being satisfied that the works of the district will be maintained by a munici­ pality or other body becoming responsible therefor, or be dismantled. A majority of the votes cast is required before the petiti'On can be dealt with by the Minister. w. S. GRAY, Acting Legislative Counsel. (This note does not form any part of the Bill but is offerea in explanation of its provisions.)

BILL No. 25 of 1943.

An Act to amend The Drainage Districts Act. (Assented to , 1943.) HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Alberta, enacts as follows: 1. The Drainage Districts Act, being

chapter 99 of the Revised Statutes of Alberta, 1942, is hereby amended as to

section 190,- (

a) By striking out subsections (2), (3), (4) and (5) and by substituting therefor the following: "

(2) Upon receipt of the petition the board shall refer it to the council, accompanied by a statement of the board setting out,- " (

a) particulars of the indebtedness of the dis­ trict and what arrangements have been or can be made to satisfy it; "(

b) what arrangements have been or can be made with a local authority or authorities for the maintenance and replacement of the works or the dismantling of them where necessary, and for the removal of any dan­ ger to the public,- and the council shall, as soon as convenient, inquire into the propriety of the dissolution of the district. "

(3) After full inquiry the council may refuse its consent to the dissolution of the district, in which case no further action shall be taken with respect to the petition. "( 4) If the council approves of the dissolution of the district the board shall at its next regular meeting after such approval has been given, order an election to be held within a period to be fixed by the council, which election shall be conducted in the same manner as an election other than a first election. "

(5) The ballots shall be in the following form: "Are you for or against the dissolution of ........... . .................. . Drainage District? "FOR "AGAINST

2 and shall contain a statement prepared by the coun­ cil setting out the reasons for the proposed disso­ lution and the arrangements that have been made for maintenance and replacement of necessary works of the district, or the dismantling of un­ necessary works. "

(6) If a majority of the votes cast at the elec­ tion are in favour of the dissolution of the district, Hie board shall so report to the Minister through the council, and the Minister may, if he considers it advisable so to do, grant an order declaring the district dissolved and directing the board to proceed as hereinafter set out." (

b) By renumbering subsections (6), (7), (8) and (9) as subsections (7), (8), (9) and (10). 2. This Act shall come into force on the day upon which it is assented to.

No. 25. THIRD SESSION NINTH LEGISLATURE 7 GEORGE VI 1943 BILL

An Act to amend The Drainage Districts Act. Received and read the First time ........................................ . Second time ... Third time ....................................... . HON. MR. MACMILLAN. EDMONTON: A. Shnitka, King's Printer 1943 Title: 1943 (9th, 3rd) Bill 25,

An Act to amend The Drainage Districts Act