Eyre Not In Favour Of Area Scheme

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31680, 16 May 1968, Page 5

Eyre Not In Favour Of Area Scheme

The Eyre County Council has said it does not associate itself with any invitation to the Local Government Commission to discuss the preparation of an area scheme embracing the local bodies between the Waimakariri and Ashley rivers.

A motion to this effect was passed by the Eyre County Council at its meeting at Ohoka this week. It was moved by the chairman (Mr C. M. Harman) and seconded by Cr V. R. Giles. The motion was carried by five votes to two. Crs J. E. Mannering and R. C. Kimber asked that their votes be recorded against the motion. Mr Harman said that he was concerned about recent newspaper reports of amalgamation discussions and resolutions passed inviting the Local Government Commission to discuss such an area scheme.

“This is just putting our heads in the sand,” said Cr Mannering. “From discussions held, it is obvious that this county will be dragged into any final scheme for the area. We are not serving best the ratepayers’ interests by turning away and not participating in discussions.” The council had some bargaining power now, he said.

If it did not use this, it could force ratepayers into any final scheme which might be prepared, without any say in negotiations. His interpretation of recent discussions between the Oxford and Rangiora county councils, which he attended as an observer with Cr Mannering, was that all present were in agreement that one local body for the whole area was best, said Cr Kimber.

The council was not putting its head in the sand by declining to participate in discussions, said the chairman. The county would not be forced into any scheme because New Zealand did not yet have a totalitarian government.

“We think, and so do our ratepayers, that we are an efficient county, and know where we are going. “There is no need for the Local Government Commission to butt in and Involve us in something which does not concern them,” Mr Harman said.