(Per Press Association). Wellington, Yesterday. At the Counties* Conference it was re solved that the Conference would prefer that if town districts were abolished as self-governing bodies, counties shall have power on petition to define a township distriot, and have power to delegate the management of such district to a com mittee of five, elected by the ratepayers. On reaching that part of the bill relating to finance it was resolved to recommend the inclusion of a new clause, that one half of the proceeds of the sale of stand ing timber on Crown lands be paid to the County Council where such Crown land is situated. A resolution was passed urgiug on the Government the advisability of making further subsidies to local bodies. This day. The Counties’ Conference made good progress with a review of the Counties Bill this morning but still has over 200 clauses to consider. It was resolved that the revising committee be instructed to make it quite clear that the local bodies will still have power to borrow money under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act. The conference unanimously agreed that the returning officer and clerk to licens ing committees s ould be appointed by the County Council or Councils con cerned, instead of by the Government. The amount available for extra ordinary expenditure was increased from £SO to £IOO.
WEATHER REPORT.
(Own Correspondent.) [By Telegraph.] Napier, This day. Captain Edwin wired at 12.10 p.m : North-east to oast and south-east gale ; glass fall; expect change of weather

Refusing Duty.
