AMALGAMATION SCHEMES

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26127, 1 June 1950, Page 4

AMALGAMATION SCHEMES

Recommendation For Approval ACTION BY CITY COUNCIL

A step which lead to a Government announcement on its attitude towards the schemes for amalgamation in Christchurch will be proposed at next Monday’s meeting of the City Council. The report is that the council will discuss in committee a recommendation by the finance committee that the council recommends the Government to approve the final schemes of the Local Government Commission. The schemes include the amalgamation of the ''Fendalton riding of the Waimairi County Council and the Cashmere and other residential areas of the Heathcote County Council and the taking over by the City Council of the powers and duties of the Christchurch Tramway Board and the Drainage Board. The original intention was that the schemes were to operate from April 1 last but the Government has not issued the necessary orders-in-council. In the meantime, eight areas which want to join the city are still outside the city boundary. Recommendations for the overhaul of the Local Government Commission have been made to the Government in a report from a conference representative of the Municipal, Counties. Harbours, Electric Power Boards and Hospital Associations. The conference was the outcome of a discussion at the annual conference of the Municipal Association.

The effect of the recommendation is that in some cases the commission would be advisory and investigate when requested to do so by local bodies. The continuation of the present law that polls on schemes are permissible only when a whole area is affected by an amalgamation scheme is recommended: under the Christchurch schemes, Riccarton borough took a poll, which decided against amalgamation. and the residents of Fendalton and Cashmere affected were denied a poll. An alteration in the appeal procedure is suggested. At present, the appeals are to the Local Government Commission itself. The recommendation is that the appeals should be to a body consisting of a judge of the Supreme Court and two other members. The alteration of the status of the chairman, who has now the status and privilege of a Supreme Court judge, is recommended. Another recommendation is that the members of the commission be elected for terms of three years. '