Citizens Retain Control Of Boards

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30563, 5 October 1964, Page 1

Citizens Retain Control Of Boards

The Christchurch Citizens’ and Ratepayers' Association retained control of the Christchurch Drainage Board and the Christchurch Transport Board at the triennial elections on Saturday, but lost ground to the Labour Party, Labour gained one seat on each of the boards, but the Drainage Board result could be in doubt until the special votes are counted.

The new Transport Board will consist of five Citizens’ and four Labour members. The Drainage Board will have eight Citizens’, five Labour, and one independent members.

The public were apathetic again. The day was fine and sunny, but those who voted would not have made a good crowd at Lancaster Park. Only 5.5 per cent of the Transport Board electors voted, compared with 6.2 per

ce.it three years ago The Drainage Board had a slightly better result—6.34 per cent against 5.54. Generally, Labour candidates improved their votes. Two sitting Transport Board members —Messrs G. D. Hattaway, chairman of the works and traffic comittee, and K. T. Marriott—were defeated in the election for six central members. i The poor polls again caused members and executives of the board to think that it might be their last election: but they thought the same three years ago. Since then there have been discussions on electoral reform for the two boards and on a two-tiered system of local government in Christchurch. So far nothing concrete has emerged. Both parties are convinced that there must be some

change in the Drainage Board’s wards. One of the contested electorates on Saturday had a roil of only 1218; another had 1471. Further from the centre of the city there was a roll of 20,039, and Waimairi had 29,570 electors.