PAPARUA RIDINGS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28835, 4 March 1959, Page 7

PAPARUA RIDINGS

Reduction In

Representation

The Paparua County Council’s intention to reduce the number of seats from 12 to nine, and to narrow the urban-rural representation ratio, is likely to be challenged at the April meeting. These proposals were made in the first of four riding representation schemes submitted by a special committee of the council. After the full council adopted this scheme, Cr W. D. Baxter, whose riding of Broadfield would be one of the two to be merged, indicated his intention of giving notice of motion to rescind the resolution. The four schemes brought down by the committee are alternatives, providing for a council of nine, 10, 11 or 12 seats. /

Under the first scheme Hornby, the most thickly populated riding, and second biggest in terms of valuation, would retain its two members, as would Sockburn. Hornby would be added to by the incorporation of the built up area of Islington. Templeton Templeton would be amalgamated with the rural part of Islington and have one member on the council, West Melton would lose one member, Yaldhurst would retain its member, Ladbrooks would be added to by part of Broadfield riding and have one representative, and Prebbleton riding would merge with the remainder of Broadfields and have one member. This scheme would reduce the number of urban members on the council from five to four, and the rural members from seven to five. The committee added, in a note, that “this arrangement is considered to provide an easy means of adjustment in the event of amalgamation between the Paparua and Springs counties.”