Waimairi refuses one city talks

Press, 19 June 1986, Page 8

Waimairi refuses one city talks

A two city option for metropolitan Christchurch would be the only basis for discussion on local body reorganisation, says the Waimairi District Council. The council last evening considered an invitation to talks by the Christchurch City Council. The letter said it would be in the public interest for sub-committees from the councils affected by reorganisation to meet for discussions. Waimairi’s chairman, Mrs Margaret Murray, said she believed it was an opportune time to meet the City Council. Waimairi had expressed already its opposition to the one city option selected by the Local Government Commission. It had asked the commission to again consider Waimairi’s two city proposal. Cr Ralph Skjellerup said he did not think Waimairi should take part in any discussions based on the one city plan. The council had a clear policy which rejected a single city and supported two cities. It should not do anything which could be seen to go against that policy, he said. “If they are prepared to talk about our two city proposal we can take part in the discussions. Otherwise we should stay away,” said Cr Skjellerup. Cr Gordon Freeman

successfully moved that the council reply to the „ City Council saying that it would agree to dialogue only along the lines of a two city proposal. Cr Skjellerup suggested that the District Council seek legal advice on the actions of the commission. He thought that there was a chance that the commission was acting outside the Local Government Act. “I believe the act says something about there being no detriment to any area involved in an amalgamation. This is an area that should be looked into to see if it can be contested,” he said. Engineers The council will conduct a review on staffing levels in its engineers’ department. The review was prompted by the resignation of the Deputy District Engineer, Mr Gary Main. Cr Des King said that while the council was considering a successor to Mr Main it should determine whether it needed another person in the department. A review was needed

because of impending amalgamation and because of the decreasing engineering work the council Was doing. “I am not saying that we don’t need a deputy but we could do with one less engineer,” said Cr King. A report on the effects of Mr Main’s resignation will be made to a subcommittee set up to consider applications for his position. Mrs Murray said she was sorry to receive Mr Main’s resignation. He had been a loyal servant to the council who had gained tremendous experience in his council work and the council had in turn gained from his involvement. Mr Main has worked for Waimairi for 13 years and will take up an appointment with Gabites Porter and Partners. Tribute paid The council paid tribute to Mr Barry Rich, a former chairman of the council, who was awarded the 0.8. E.

Mrs Murray said Mr

Rich had been a council member for 18 years and its chairman for 17. “He has an outstanding record of community involvement and the 0.8. E. is an appropriate acknowledgement,” she said. Mrs Murray said she had already written a letter congratulating Mr Rich. Cr lan Calvert said Mr Rich had been one of the best councillors Waimairi had had, with skills which went beyond those of local body politics. He called on the council to endorse Mrs Murray’s letter. Cr King said he did not see Mr Rich in the same light as other councillors and that other people were more deserving of the honour. Other councillors were angry at Cr King’s comments and dissociated themselves from them. Cr Martin Hobby said that Mr Rich had had his faults but he had an ability beyond normal to control things. Cr Philip Carter said he was surprised that Mr Rich had not been given the award sooner.