DARFIELD COUNTY TOWN DECISION

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31862, 14 December 1968, Page 12

DARFIELD COUNTY TOWN DECISION

From April 1, Darfield should become « county town with its own committee to deal with town matters. The Malvern County Council, after receiving a petition from residents yesterday, agreed to a timetable that will bring this about.

The petition, asking for county town status, was presented by Mr T. E. Pearson, president of the Darfield Residents’ Association. It contained 295 signatures, of nearly all the adult residents. “We have tried to keep this a straightforward issue, with no promises of reduced rates, special incentives, haste or pressure,” said Mr Pearson. “If we are going to achieve what we hope, we must have the population behind us, and

1 think we have achieved this result.” Mr Pearson said that no objections had been recorded in getting the petition signed. The objections voiced could be counted on the fingers of one hand, but he felt these had been due to misunderstandings. However, there could be objections to the county town boundary, and to any resolution the council might adopt. Mr Pearson asked the council to be sure that, under the normal finance available, the town would be able to function without an increase in rates. Residents had good reason to believe the finance would be sufficient. It was reasonable that residents should have a stronger hand in the running of their town, said the chairman (Mr C. O. Redfern). He thanked those who had organised the petition.

“This is a big step forward in the history of Darfield and the county," said Cr D. W. Mulholland, moving that the council take steps to have Darfield declared a county town.

Seconding the motion, Cr H. H. Deans said there was considerable potential for further development of Darfield as the county centre. The motion was carried unanimously, Mr Pearson commenting: “It’s most gratifying to have our petition treated in this prompt way.” The elerk (Mr B. W. Perrin) explained procedure. A plan of the county town would be open for inspection until February 7. The council would then pass a special order to constitute the county town.

This motion would be open for objection until the council meeting in March, when, subject to objections, the county town would be constituted as from April 1. There would be a public meeting in March to elect a county town committee to take office from April 1.