Licence And Test Move To Darfield Opposed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31341, 11 April 1967, Page 11

Licence And Test Move To Darfield Opposed

Proposals to transfer the issue of motor-drivers’ licences and driving tests from Springfield to Darfield drew opposition at the inaugural meeting of the new Malvern County Council yesterday. Tawera and Malvern counties amalgamated on April 1. Tawera licences were formerly issued at Springfield and Christchurch, and drivers’ tests were made at Springfield.

The Tawera members of the new council, Crs. W. H. Faulkner and R. M. D. Johnson, protested at the change, claiming that it would cause inconvenience, especially to those taking driving tests. They said the traffic inspector, and not the public, was being considered. The clerk (Mr B. W. Perrin) said that licence issues and over-70 tests could be done at Springfield on a halfday in June; but the over-70 drivers had to come to Darfield for their medical tests in any case. The change was agreed to for a six-month trial. Formalities connected with the amalgamation were settled. Mr C. O. Redfern, chairman of the old Malvern Council was elected chairman and Cr. W. R. Oliver (Malvern) was elected deputy-chairman. It was agreed that councillors would not claim the 30s allowance for meetings. The chairman’s honorarium was raised from £l5O to £250. Tawera’s representatives, Crs. Faulkner and Johnson, were added to the works and finance committees respectively, with Cr. Faulkner added to the emergency committee.

Decimals.—The accounting machine would be converted to decimal currency by midMay and from then until D.C. day, July 10, the council would be working in both currencies, said the clerk. New Charges.—The conditions for a £26,000 loan for new offices and a £4OOO hous-

ing loan were altered to allow the increased interest rate for 30-year local body loans of 5} per cent.

Rates.—“ This is only one of a couple of dozen,” said Cr. Johnson, when St. Andrew’s College applied for rate remission on its lodge property at Castle Hill. The question generally was referred to the finance .committee for a policy recommendation.