Forced merger feared

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33775, 22 February 1975, Page 16

Forced merger feared

The Mount Herbert County Council had to find some alternative to an amalgamation with Christchurch City, which could be forced on to it by the Local Government Commission, said Cr J. F. Brockhurst, at a meeting of the council yesterday.

He said the Local Governjment Act, with its amalgamation poll provisions, had destroyed defences of small local bodies against unwcl-

come mergers. “Our 900 voters would! have no show in a combined: i poll with Christchurch City,” said Cr Brockhurst. Many people had come into the county to get away from Christchurch and liked the personal service and close-knit community in a small county, he said. Many people, too, abhorred the politics in big-centre local Government.

Cr. Brockhurst said Mount Herbert, to try to safeguard its position, should renew discussions on amalgamation with its Banks Peninsula neighbours. Cr E. K. Gardiner asked if the councils could not present a fait accompli to the commission, but she was told that this would not work, as it would not fit the

commission’s plans for an j enlarged city. It was agreed to write to the Lyttelton, Heathcote, Akaroa and councils, asking them to meet: : Mount Herbert, to consider a ■ Joint amalgamation.