ADVANCEMENT OF THE CITY

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24270, 30 May 1944, Page 4

ADVANCEMENT OF THE CITY

NEW COUNCIL COMMITTEE LIKELY WIDE REPRESENTATION PROPOSED A new committee, which will have power to invite representation from adjoining local bodies, commercial, manufacturing, and labour interests, will probably be appointed by the newly-elected Christchurch City Council at its first meeting, which is expected to be on Wednesday, June 7. This committee will have the special task of considering and recommending plans for the advancement of Christchurch, especially measures relating to the encouragement of industrial development. The appointment of such a committee has been in the forefront of the Citizens’ Association candidates’ plans for the development of Christchurch—not only the city, but the metropolitan area. It is, in part, the outcome of the move for South Island development initiated by Mr Andrews last year, when he called a meeting of representatives of all South Island local bodies. The movement was carried a stage further by the subsequent appointment of an executive. The new council is representative of a wide variety of interests and it is considered that a very strong committed for such a purpose could be formed. The opinion in council circles is that Mr J. L. Hay will be chairman. Election of Committees Provided there are no unexpected delays in the official count for the election, the Mayor and new council will be installed on June 7, and it is the usual procedure for the council to deal with no other business at this meeting than the appointment of committees. Few changes are likely in the chairmanships, except such as may follow from the intention of the Mayor not to resume leadership of the works committee. His logical successor in this position is Mr W. P. Glue, chairman of the housing and town planning committee on the last council. If Mr Glue receives this appointment, for which he has special qualifications as a leading member of the building trade, Mr G. D. Griffiths, an architect, with extensive experience both in New Zealand and overseas, will probably take over the chairmanship of the housing and town planning committee. Another change in chairmanship will be necessary unless the official count returns Mr J. S. Barnett. Mr Barnett was the only Labour committee chairman on the last council, the Citizens’ Association council that was elected in 1941 having supported his retention of the chairmanship in recognition of his valuable work in the pensioners’ cottages scheme.