Councils to talk on regions

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33520, 29 April 1974, Page 12

Councils to talk on regions

(New Zealand Press Association) NAPIER. April 28. The amalgamation of local authorities into larger regional administrative units will probably be the main subject of debate at the three-day conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand, which will begin in

Napier tomorrow. I The subject does not ap- • pear among the 57 remits, but even if the delegates do not raise it, the Minister of Local (Government (Mr May) will ' surely use the opportunity to • outline plans for regional : amalgamation. i Legislation is now before the House. If Mr May uses the conference as a platform for amalgamation, he will certainly refer to the financial aspects of the bill — the main concern of local authorities. If the regional debate fails ; to liven the conference, such hardy annuals as dog control, (pensioner needs, pollution, J and other contentious matters (among the 57 remits should keep the 388 delegates active.

One of the first remits to be d’scussed will probably be about dog registration. The Mount Roskill Borough Council will call for a thorough inspection of all dog owners’ properties before a licence is issued. This borough, one of 136 municipalities represented, will claim that the dog ownler’s property should be suitably fenced, be of sufficient (size to allow adequate movement and exercise of the animal, and that adequate ! weatherproof housing he provided for the size and type of dog. A fee of $lO (should be charged for the inI spection.

The Woodville Borough Council will ask for the asset limit for pensioner housing to be lifted from ’ssooo to $lO,OOO. Woodville claims $lO,OOO is not enough for the purchase of a small flat or home.

The Manakau Borough Council has asked that the Government strengthen the Litter Act to give Magistrates, local authorities, and litter-prevention officers more powers.

The Bluff Borough Council will ask for legislation prohibiting the use of plastic containers for the sale of drinks.

The Howick Borough Council will ask for an increase in the refund on empty beer bottles. It will also ask for a ban on the marketing of soft drinks and beer in nonreturnable bottles.

The New Plymouth Citv Council will call on the Government to assist with the construction and maintenance of playing fields. A Papatoetoe remit asks that the Government be reouested to prepare legislation limiting house-to-house appeals nationally up to a maximum of 10 a year. The annual Poppy Day appeal is not included in the suggestion.

A Hamilton City Council remit will ask that the Public Works Act, the Municipal Corporations Act, the Health Act, and the Town Planning Act be amended to give specific authority for a municipality to establish refusedisposal sites outside its own district. Drivers of motor vehicles who deliberately cause damage by careless use of their vehicles may find they are without cars for some time if the Waiuku Borough Council’s remit is accepted. Waiuku will ask for the introduction of legislation allowing for the confiscation of a motor vehicle when the driver has deliberately damaged public property.