Lyttelton Council Discusses Fire District Merger

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28958, 28 July 1959, Page 15

Lyttelton Council Discusses Fire District Merger

On the ground that the finding of the Local Government Commission on the proposal to include Lyttelton in the Christchurch urban fire district had still to be compiled and the matter was still sub judice, the Lyttelton Borough Council went into committee last evening after Cr. A. R. Champion had opened an attack on the council subcommittee which had drawn up the grounds of objection to the amalgation. In the debate on tie resolution to go into committee, the action of newspapers ,n printing editorial comment on the result of the inquiry was referred to as being in "bad taste.” Cr. Champion said there were a few questions he wished to ask about the objections presented by the council before the commission. The council had brought about the inquiry at a cost of several hundred pounds, and it came to an abrupt conclusion when the council gave in. He was surprised that the council committee which drew up the objections had not brought them before the full council. Had the whole committee considered the objections clause by clause? he asked.

“I, as a councillor, was disgusted with the wording of the objections and I consider them an insult to the first chairman, who had tried to be fair to both sides,” said Cr. Champion. Cr. W. Morris: We could go into committee. The matter is still before the commission, which has still to compile its report. I have seen editorials in the newspapers commenting on the inquiry, and I consider them to be in bad taste. The Mayor (Mr F. G. Briggs): It is definitely wrong for us to discuss this matter now and to give it publicity. I agree that it was bad taste for the newspapers

to publish editorials before the matter had been finalised. Cr. Champion: I do not agree. Objections were withdrawn unconditionally. Cr. Morris: I move that we go into committee. Cr. Champion: Then I will have my say in open council after the committee. The council then went into committee.