CANTERBURY COUNTIES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 203, 1 October 1914, Page 5

CANTERBURY COUNTIES.

Association formed. At. the meeting of delegates from t Canterbury County Councils, held at the Drainage Board J s office yesterday afternoon to consider the matte'r of forming a Canterbury Counties' Association, a motion was before the meeting, proposed by Mr Knight (Malvern) and seconded by Mr Talbot (Eangiora), that a Canterbury Association- should be formed. After considerable discussion, Mr J. H. Davidison, pf the Amuri County Council, moyed as an. amendment:—"That an association be formed to consist of all the South Island counties that are willing to join." Mr Chas. Wolfe (Springs County) seconded the amendment, and spoke generally in favour of, the suggestion. Messrs I. Andrew (Selwyn), F. Horrell (Eangiora), and T. Gee (Cheviot) supported the forming of the Canterbury Association. Their sentiments pointed to the fact that, although there was no dissatisfaction in connection with the methods or distribution of seats in regard to the parent body, there were many matters identical to Canterbury which could be profitably discussed before the meeting of the New Zealand -Counties Association was held at Wellington. " ! Mr Studholme also supported the forjmation of the Canterbury Association, arid suggested that the boundaries might be the same as for the North and South Canterbury Education Boards. The amendment was here put to the meeting, but found only four supporters. At this stage Mr McLean moved a further amendment to the motion before the meeting that the boundaries i should be the Conway and the "Waitaki Rivers. This was seconded and put to the meeting and carried. The motion as amended was then put to the meeting and carried almost unanimously. . On the motion of Mr J. D. Bruce, an Executive Committee was then set up, the following being elected:—Messrs Leslie, Knight, H. J. Horrell, S. A. Staples, J. D. Bruce, and George Rutherford. The committee to draft a constitution, etc., and submit the same to another meeting to be held a month hence. Mr J. D. Bruce was appointed provisional,, chairman, and Mr George Maginness secretary pro tern. Two suggestions were then left with the meeting for future consideration,

one from the Springs County that all license fees should be pooled and paid into the Government as the Hospital and Charitable Aid rate.-. I£ it -was worked in this way it should relieve the present difficulty considerably. Mr H. J. Horrell brought forward the second suggestion, in regard to War funds. He suggested that there should be-a percentage struck on the rates or capital value. *