Key counties opposed to fragmentation

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32902, 28 April 1972, Page 3

Key counties opposed to fragmentation

Paparua and Ellesmere, the key counties in the formation of the Local Government Commission’s proposed two big counties south of the Waimakariri River, both opposed their fragmentation when hearings continued yesterday on the commission’s provisional scheme of local government for North Canterbury.

Submissions concerned the proposals to add parts of Paparua, Ellesmere, and Eyre counties to Malvern County to form new county No. 3, “Selwyn,” and to combine parts of Paparua, Ellesmere, Wairewa, and Mount Herbert counties with Afcaroa County to form new county No. 4, “Banks.”

The chairman of the Ellesmere County Council (Mr W. E. Walker) said the council objected to the proposed boundary of new counties Nos. 3 and 4 at RakaiaDunsandel because of the need to control stock watersupply, headworks and distribution, and because of what would be a division of a community of interest. The council objected to the extensions of the boundaries of counties 3 and 4 through Templeton towards

the city because the commission was continuing a situation that had caused many difficulties in local government. Divided townships posed administrative problems, especially in their development. “The council considers that a regional authority over the whole suggested area would be a further imposition on the rural community, ’’ Mr Walker said. “Provided the commission can guarantee that roading subsidies and grants will be maintained, and that the Counties Act will be amended to allow ridings to be carried on at the council’s pleasure, a more favourable view could be taken,” he said.

“The council has supported The principle of amalgamation, as evidenced by the four voluntary schemes in which it took a leading part. It now considers that Ellesmere is an economic and stable unit, and, apart from a few minor, township adjustments, it should be left alone.” A commissioner, Mr J. C. D. Mackley, suggested that Ellesmere’s objection to "carrying” the Peninsula could be met by creating divisions, with different rating.

FARMERS’ FEARS Mr G. T. Hobson, a Rakaia resident, spoke of farmers’ fears over the stock-water, and said there had been a complete breakdown this season. Control of the water was too divided.

Mr Mackley suggested that the position could be secured by a management committee of representative ratepayers. Mr C. O. Redfern, chairman of the Malvern County Council, said a users’ committee was already operating in the Selwyn riding of the county. The system’s

capacity had been stretched to the limit. Mr Fullarton said the commission had tried to avoid divided control for the townships of Templeton, Rolleston, Bumham and particularly Dunsandel. Speakers had claimed that the commission had ignored the townships’ districts. The commission had adopted the railway line as the boundary. TEMPLETON The commission had not taken a serious look at the position, particularly at Templeton, said Mr D. H. Warren, chairman of the Paparua County Council. The County Clerk (Mr B. W. Perrin), in submissions for Malvern County, said that the Rolleston boundary was satisfactory provided development was restricted to one side of the railway. Templeton was more urban,

with a more urban-minded community, so it should not be added to a rural county. The council opposed the proposed regional authority, he said. With only five councils, as the commission proposed, it should not be necessary to have such an authority. Mr Fullarton drew attention to the recent statement by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Highet) on the need for the extension of regional authorities. BOUNDARY The Akaroa County Council, which has indicated support for the No. 4 county proposal, asked for a boundary amendment to avoid splitting a property at Blind Bay, putting the whole of a farm in that part of the district that the commission proposes should join Christchurch City. A letter was read from the Mount Herbert County Council which said it had no formal objection to the proposals but wanted a merger that would preserve the county’s environment and unique features. The City Council itself had objected to the proposal that it should take over the whole of the county, and the county council believed that the county should remain intact and that it was entitled to direct representation. This could only be done by a ward system for City Council seats.

The Paparua council was opposed to fragmentation, Mr Warren said. The council, with its county boroughs of Hornby and Sockbum, Halswell county town, and its rural districts council, was an example of how efficiently and harmoniously urban, semi-urban and rural communities could be administered in their common interests.

The county’s administrative system, said Mr Warren, could readily be extended to include the Peninsula counties and perhaps Ellesmere. UNDESIRABLE “To enlarge Christchurch City to five times its present size would be quite undesirable and would create major administrative difficulties,” said Mr Warren. No submissions were made by the Wairewa County Council and the commission’s secretary (Mr K. B. O’Connor) said no indication had been given of the council’s views. The commission adjourned to Monday, when it will hear submissions on a proposed reduction of rural fire authorities.