No hope on reform challenge — mayor

Press, 27 June 1989, Page 8

No hope on reform challenge — mayor

By

RICHARD CRESSWELL

Local bodies now knew they had no hope of challenging local government reform, the Mayor of Riccarton, Mr Richard Harrington, told the Riccarton Borough Council last evening. He said he would not ask anyone in Riccarton to take action against reform which would be illegal. “If people want to take action themselves they are welcome. What action they could take I don’t know,” he said. A council-in-exile had been suggested for the future, but it “could not work.” "All we can do is to look for the best people we can find to represent us in Riccarton.”

Mr Harrington also attacked a television campaign advertising local government reform.

“I hope New Zealanders are not fooled by this ridiculous campaign,” he said.

Cr Brian Harman said other people looked on the borough as “tin-pot,” with only, 10,000 people. But he hoped issues could still be dealt with locally under amalgamation. “On some local bodies the management don’t give a damn.”

The council approved rates for the year ending March 31, 1990, at 2 per cent for residential and 5 per cent for commercial properties. The council approved a budget of $6.1 million for the year, with $2.4M to be raised from rates.