Wairakei Riding (3 seats)

Press, 16 September 1986, Page 36

Wairakei Riding (3 seats)

(Waimairi Independence Team)

Former councillor for 12 years, former member of the Christchurch Drainage Board and the Christchurch Transport Board. Serves on committees with the Christchurch City Mission, Christchurch Diocesan Foundation, Girl Guides Association, and Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council. Former president of the Carriers Association and former vice-presi-dent of the Contractors Federation.

Mr Blogg considers some amalgamation to be logical and desirable, but the “grandiose idea of one targe monolith is not on.” Waimairi should retain an identity to compete with the city. One large city would have problems of communication, and would be impersonal. Waimairi was one of the most efficiently run authorities in New Zealand, he said. While a councillor he had fought for an improved water supply in Wairakei, and more control on roaming dogs. He considers there are still Improvements to be made.

lan Calvert (Independent) Sitting councillor for 18 years. Has done 20 years county engineering in Waipawa, Southland, and Waimairi, now reader in agricultural engineering at Lincoln College. Waimairi representative on Canterbury Museum Trust Board, and

Selwyn Plantation Board. Chairman of North Canterbury National Parks and Reserves Board, member of Bishopdale-Burnside Rotary Club.

He sees amalgamation as the most important issue facing Waimairi. As one of the councillors instrumental in setting up two action groups to fight against amalgamation, he would continue to work with them to fight for Waimairi’s "survival.”

He is convinced one large city in Christchurch would be a “bureaucratic monster,” reduce services to ratepayers 'and would siphon Waimairi funds to benefit the present Christchurch City Council.

The Waimairi District Council would be dissolved in 12 months if the Local Government Commission “has its way,” said Mr Calvert. It was therefore vital for experienced councillors to be returned in the election to provide an "effective opposition” to the move.

Patrick Harrow (Waimairi Independence Team)

Member of the Raspberry Marketing Council, Beiryfruit Growers’ Federation, founding member of Canterbury Co-op, Ltd. Member of Christchurch Boys High Schoo! P.T.A., Taylors Mistake Surf Lifesaving Club. He opposes forced amalgamation and accepts the concept of a two-city Christchurch. Recreation and employment facilities for young people should be developed more within the district He sees a need to encourage better use of Christchurch Airport by overseas airlines. This would help develop tourism and provide more freight capacity for manufacturers and horticultural producers.

Mr Harrow is anxious to see a balanced development of Waimairi with adequate provision for residential, industrial, and recreational facilities.

Sitting member for 21 years. He is opposed to amalgamation and believes experience in local bodies will be important for the battle against amalgamation. The Waimairi system was superior to that of the party representation of Christchurch City, he said. Waimairi councillors had a close association with their residents and ratepayers. The two-city concept for Christchurch, which was rejected by the Local Govern-

meat Commission, offers a chance, for comparison and healthy competition, said Mr Hobby.

(Waimairi Independence Team) Member of North West Kiwanis Club, owner-operator of Burnside Motors, Ltd. He would like to use his commercial experience to ensure rates are held and that people get value for money. Greater cost efficiency is needed.

Mr Milligan considers it vital to Canterbury that employment is encouraged. He is interested in further development of Christchurch Airport and the Sheffield Crescent high-tech park area, although such development must not be to the detriment of existing residents.

He wants to see Waimairi rates spent in Waimairi and is therefore opposed to amalgamation and the “undemocratic way Waimairi is being destroyed.”

Hazel Tait (Independent) Sitting councillor for 12 years. Council representative on the Canterbury Museum Board, member of the Christchurch Community Arts Councils and the Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council.

She is completely opposed to forced amalgamation and believes residents have a right to determine their own future. The current poll pro-

visions were biased toward a larger authority and needed immediate revision.

She said she always tried to keep Waimairi lean and efficient, and rates as low as possible. The revision of the District Scheme had added a considerable workload to her other council commitments in the last three years. She said now was a testing time for Waimairi, and people with experience, ability and integrity were needed to put aside self-interest and work for the community.

Mr Telfer is opposed to amalgamation and would work to prevent it. He thinks the council should approach the Government in an attempt to get lower-priced electricity for . people in Christchurch. Cheaper electricity would help rid Christchurch of the pollution problem, and would aiso be an incentive for industries to stay rather than close or move to the North Island. Mr Telfer would like to see more money spent on housing for the elderly. More housing would be needed to cater for the ageing population. Standard of existing housing should also be raised.

Priority should be given to looking after council employees who have given good service so they would not be “out in the cold” if amalgamation took place, he said. Styx Riding

Mr Arthur Adcock was reelected unopposed to the one seat in Styx Riding.