Council spending ‘hit-and-miss’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33653, 1 October 1974, Page 18

Council spending ‘hit-and-miss’

Money from the Christchurch City Council’s cash in lieu of reserve fund had been spent with a hit-and-miss attitude, said Mr H. G. Hay, the Citizens candidate for the mayoralty last evening.

Speaking to an election meeting at Opawa attended by 13 persons, Mr Hay said

that only a small amount of money had been spent on acquiring land for new reserves during the last three years. As a result, some parts of the city were becoming short of playing areas, and there was a shortage of changing rooms in North Hagley Park. Money was contributed to the fund by subdividers in lieu of setting aside land, said Mr Hay. The fund was an important source of finance for the development of reserves. A major reason for the fund was to ensure more open spaces were provided in the city, said Mr Hay. Disnroportionate amounts had been spent in some areas, and others had been neglected.

Three Citizens candidates for the east ward spoke to the meeting. Mr A. E. Ansell said that the ward system was blatantly set up by a predominantly Labour committee with a view to ensuring that the Labour Party had local power.

Many harsh words had been spoken recently about the Estuary, said Mr Ansell. He would aim to make it available to the largest possible cross-section of the community for sporting and recreational facilities without being to the detriment of the natural environment of the Estuary.

Mr R. H. Arbuckle said that he was concerned at the filth in Cathedral Square, and the type of person who put it there. Other towns had their streets washed down, and this should be done in Christchurch. Hansons Park, which was in a pitiful state, should be developed to include a playing field and park, said Mr Arbuckle. The remainder of the park should be used for housing. Mr W. J. A. Brittenden said that there was too much political power in Christchurch at present. The amount of discord in the city administration was regrettable; the Town Hall — a Citizens project — was an example of the harmony achieved between the various bodies.

Christchurch would have to face amalgamation for the general good of the people, said Mr Brittenden.