Speech on local body merger ‘blackmail’

Press, 21 October 1987, Page 36

Speech on local body merger ‘blackmail’

A recent speech on amalgamation by the Minister of Local Government, Dr Bassett, was described at a Kalapol Borough Council meeting recently as "tantamount to blackmail.”

The Kalapol Town Clerk, Mr Gary Saunders, was describing comments made by the Minister at the South Island Local Bodies* Association’s conference in Ashburton.

. Dr Bassett told the conference that the Government did not intend to stand by and allow some local governments to thwart the work of the Local Government Commission by endlessly resorting to court injunctions on trivial points. The "Ashburton Guardian” reported that Dr Bassett told the conference that nobody was exempt from the review. It was just a question of whether councils did It themselves and got the deal they wanted or whether they had It done for them.

"Progress Is much more

palatable if you have had a hand yourself In guiding it,” said Dr Bassett.

Mr Saunders told the council that It was time to make Kalapol people aware of what could happen. Cr Richard Wylie said Kalapol residents should be told that they were in (treat danger of having heir council centred In Ranglora, I "Now is the time for Kalapol residents if they do not want their council In Ranglora to get up and say so,” he said. However, several councillors and the Mayor of Kalapol, Mr Hector McAllister, said the council could not inform the public until It knew what was proposed for Kalapol. The council had not received any Information from the commission to date. River boats

Katapol may have boats for hire on the Katapol River this summer.

Cr Alistair Blackle said he was determined to see boats for hire on the river this summer. He was still trying to find private people to hire the boats but in the meantime was asking the council to approve a study to investigate whether It should become Involved. The council agreed to make a feasibility study Into the hiring of boats. Colour co- ordinated Kalapofs business district may be colour coordinated In the future. The council decided to Inquire about employing a colour consultant who would provide a colour scheme for the central business district.

Mr Saunders said there had been a number .of changes In the commercial area of Kalapol and every shop had been Individually painted. A colour consultant could coordinated the area.

No horses

Horse riders in Kalapol were criticised at the meeting. Mr McAllister expressed his concern about the dangers of horses on foothpaths. The council decided to send letters to the schools and the Kalapol Pony Club asking that horses not be ridden on the foothpaths or In council reserves. Top Town Kaiapol's likely Top Town team had begun training for the next Top Town competition, the

council was told.

Cr Blackle said a "very capable-looking squad of 30'* had been chosen from about 90 applicants.

Amusement park

The council decided to appoint a sub-committee tp look into a proposal for an amusement park in Kalapol. Mr McAllister said the Idea had the potential to be turned Into a* tourist asset or It could be expensive for the council If it did not work.

The sub-commlttee will Investigate Its viability.