Amalgamation An Old Issue In Christchurch

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31088, 17 June 1966, Page 21 (Supplement)

Amalgamation An Old Issue In Christchurch

Amalgamation figured prominently in the development of urban administration in Christchurch, with the trend towards reducing the number of local bodies. Recent moves for amalgamation of territorial areas in metropolitan Christchurch have foundered, largely because of ratepayers paying more under different rating systems. Reports and recommendations have been made over the years, sometimes for

wholesale amalgamation of areas and ad hoc bodies, sometimes for a two-tier system of local government, other times for a metropolitan board of works. All have gone into pigeonholes; but Christchurch can be sure that some will emerge in the future. Metropolitan Christchurch has, however, seen greater local body co-operation in recent years—the town hall financing plan is an example —and through the Regional Planning Authority some works that are of truly metropolitan importance have been dealt with on that basis. It was not always so. After early management by the Canterbury Associa-

tion, control of local affairs passed to the Provincial Council in 1853. Its first local government ordinance, in 1856, provided for road districts, road maintenance, and elective waywardens. Among those then established were Christchurch, Lyttelton, Papanui, Avon, Heathcote and Riccarton: but their minimum obligations were inadequate for the growing settlement and in 1860 the Municipal Corporation Ordinance of the province covered the management of streets and sewerage in all towns and “populous places” and the preservation of health among the inhabitants. Municipalities were to have not less than 200

householders and not more than three square miles, formed on the petition of 100 householders. Lyttelton was thus proclaimed, Canterbury’s first municipality in December, 1861, and Christchurch a few Weeks later in January, 1862. Elections in those days were by show of hands and councillors retired, four in one year and five in the next. Within a year the Christchurch Municipal Corporation Act created the City of Christchurch with a special act of its own. Most parts of New Zealand were developing rapidly, if somewhat chaotically, under many forms of local government. The central Government In 1867 brought down a municipal corpora-

tion act giving a national scheme for urbanised areas. By this Christchurch reverted to a municipality but its citizens quickly secured an amendment restoring the title of city. Roads boards achieving the status of borough in the years following included Sydenham (1877), Sumner (1891), Linwood and Woolston (1893) and New Brighton (1896). Spreydon was nearing qualification and there were still the road districts including Riccarton and Heathcote and three in. Waimairi. From about 1890, when some of the smaller bodies merged, there had been talk of unifying metropolitan control. In 1900 the local bodies conferred on metro-

politan problems. The metropolitan board of works idea was first canvassed about this period. St. Albans, Linwood, and Sydenham moved to join the city in 1903 to form greater Christchurch, and there followed sporadic absorptions of other boroughs up to the inclusion of New Brighton and Sumner in the 1940’5. Since then there have been only minor additions to the city. Of the areas resisting overtures for amalgamation Riccarton has been the most adamant. Its road district went back to 1816. Provincial ordinance definition as Central Avon met quick reaction of local pride demanding reversion to the name of Riccarton. When it

was absorbed by the formation of the Waimairi County in 1909 agitation for borough status ensued almost continuously until it succeeded in 1912. Amalgamation with Christchurch was rejected again in 1949. In 1948 the Local Government Commission brought down a scheme for wholesale amalgamation—with the Riccarton borough. Fendalton and other parts of the Waimairi county, and Cashmere and other parts of Heathcote coming into the city. It also proposed that the City Council should take over the functions of the Drainage and Transport Boards. Again the scheme came to naught, after the Government had taken some action.