AMALGAMATION SCHEME

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26055, 7 March 1950, Page 4

AMALGAMATION SCHEME

MR HOLLAND TO MEET CITY COUNCIL

TRANSFERS ON APRIL 1 UNLIKELY

The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) has agreed to discuss the Local Government Commission’s proposals for Christchurch on March 20. This information was received by the Christchurch City Council yesterday. Cr. J. E. Tait, chairman of the City Council’s amalgamation committee, explained last evening that all local bodies concerned in the proposals were anxious to know the new Government's attitude and its decision about implementing the scheme. The Tramway Board and Drainage Board, for instance, were scheduled to come under the City Council on April 1, but immediate action now seemed unlikely as the necessary preparations could not be made until the.. appropriate Orders-in-Council had -been made.

The City Council’s amalgamation committee had written to the Prime Minister early in January in the hope that information on the next developments would be available early this year, Cr. Tait said.

The Municipal Association would open its conference in Auckland today. The delegates from other local bodies also affected by proposals of the Local Government Commission were keenly interested in the new Government’s views.

“The Government has done nothing tc implement the proposals for Christchurch and it is impossible to find out where we stand,” said Cr. Tait* “We hope to learn much from our meeting with the Prime Minister.’’