AMALGAMATION OF LOCAL BODIES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22050, 25 March 1937, Page 24

AMALGAMATION OF LOCAL BODIES

SUMNER TO BE REPRESENTED AT CONFERENCE

A meeting of the Sumner Borough Council was held last evening, when there were present the Mayor, Mr T. Newburgh, Crs. C. Hart, F. T, Eldridge, E. T. Chitty, C. E. Claydon. F. J. Barlow, G. F. Allen, and J. E. Tail

The engineer's special report recommended that the council should provide an amount of £27 4s 8d on the 1937-38 estimates for the construction of a kerbing parallel to the line of lamp pedestals and trees along the Esplanade.

Regarding the required housing survey, it was decided to instruct the engineer to produce plans of the borough showing the locality of houses that might be considered below the standard, and submit them to the next meeting of the committee. It was decided to accept the Main Highway Board's offer of a £3 for £1 subsidy for the construction of a new road across the old swimming pool under the cliffs.

It was reported by the borough engineer that building permits in the borough for the month of January amounted' to £sll.

Because of the death of Sir George Harper, the Christchurch Domains Board advised that it would be necessary to appoint another representative. The Mayor was appointed. The Chamber of Commerce -wrote asking the council to appoint two representatives to a conference on April 29. about the tunnel road scheme. Crs. Tait*and Allen were appointed. A letter was received from the Waimairi County Council regarding the Local Government Bill.

. The Mayor said that the question was a serious and important one from Sumner's point of view. Cr. Barlow considered that Sumner and New Brighton would be the first to be included in any amalgamation scheme.

Cr. Tait said that he still wanted to hear a good argument how Sumner would benefit from amalgamation. He thought that Sumner was in a position to govern its own affairs. The Mayor said that they wanted to hear all the arguments, and report back to the council before it would be uossible to give an opinion. Cr. Chitty asked if the borough could be. more cheaply administered, and if a more efficient service could be given to the ratepayers. The Mayor. Cr. Tait, and the Town Clerf: (Mr J. F. Menzies) were appointed as the council's representatives.

It was decided to send a letter of thanks to the Mayor of Christchurch for the grant of £175 from the sum provided by Lord Nuffield.