AMALGAMATION PROPOSALS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27075, 25 June 1953, Page 10

AMALGAMATION PROPOSALS

NO OBJECTION FROM . COUNTIES ATTITUDE OF WAIMAIRI AND HEATHCOTE , Yesterday was the last day for the lodging of written objections to the Local Government Commission’s proposed inclusion of parts of Waimairi and Heathcote counties in Christchurch city. Neither county council lodged an objection. “We regret having to make this decision, but the council decided at its last meeting not to make any objection,” said the chairman of the Heathcote council (Mr F. W. Freeman) yesterday. “I know we could object, but it would be futile,” he said. “We might hold things up for a while, but you have to submit to verdicts of this kind—you have to be broad-minded. I would prefer to be thought of as a constructionist, not as an obstructionist. “One thing we do ask, however—that we should hand over control of the amalgamating areas at the proper time, at the end of the financial year,” Mr Freeman said. “We do not want this step to have to be taken on October 1, when the City Council would like to assume control. This date would involve a lot of unnecessary adjustments and extra work in rates and other administrative matters.” The Waimairi council also feels that no good purpose would be served by objecting to the proposed alterations, according to its chairman (Mr W. W. Laing). “We are not making any objection as a council, but we are supporting one private objection,” Mr Laing said. “This is in respect of a small area bounded by Lake Terrace road and Burwood road, with about 200 residents. The people in this area have asked to be excluded from the Avon riding when it is amalgamated with the city, and included in the part of the Marshland riding which is going to stay in our county.” Mr Laing said his council also could not agree to transferring areas to the city on October 1, but considered that this should be done on April 1, the beginning of the next financial year.