AMALGAMATION LOCAL BODIES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22135, 3 July 1937, Page 16

AMALGAMATION LOCAL BODIES

ROAD HOARDS AT ASHBURTON TO BE APPROACHED

The view that the four remaining road boards in the Ashburton County would prefer to be merged into the Ashburton County Council voluntarily, rather than be subject to the compulsory clauses of the Local Bodies Amalgamation Bill, was stated by the chairman cf the Ashburton County Council (Mr F. Frampton) yesterday. He added that with the passing of the bill, the road boards would come under review, and be subject to amalgamation.

It might be advisable for the council to communicate with the- road beards, drawing their attention to the pro" posed legislation and inviting tnem to consider voluntary amalgamation, said Mr Frampton.

The ratepayers of the whole county and particularly those in the road board districts had much to gain by amalgamation. The wear and tear of roads by the present-day motor traffic necessitated the use of the latest and best machinery which could only be purchased and maintained at a capital cost beyond the resources of the road boards. It was probable that the Timvald Town District would also come under the provisions of the bill and be subject to review. Mr J. Carr said that the initiative should come from the ratepayers and not from the members of the road boards.

Mr S. P. Taylor said a conference was called on the question some years ago, but nothing was done. He asked why the chairman considered it inadvisable to call a conference at present. Mr Frampton said he did not think it should appear that the council was applying pressure. There had been a great change of opinion since the conference some years ago. It was decided to advise the road boards that the council had considered amalgamation, and would welcome any suggestions from the boards.