COUNTY AMALGAMATION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 11, 14 July 1928, Page 17

COUNTY AMALGAMATION

The question of amalgamation with | the Hutt County Council was discussed again at yesterday's meeting of the Makara County Council. The report of the Finance and Policy Committee, to whom the matter was referred at the last meeting, was that the question be deferred, and put to the ratepayers for an expression of opinion at the general election of councils in May of next year. Councillor Mcxted, who had originally brought the matter up, said that I it was not necessary for tho matter to be put before the ratepayers, as long as ' both councils were in unanimity. He read figures based on the administra- I the accounts of both counties in sup-' port of his belief in amalgamation. He ' thought tho question warranted a conference between the two councils, and he moved in that direction. Councillor Dunbar Sloane seconded the motion. There .was, ho said, a move throughout tho .country in favour of the amalgamation of small local bodies, and tho Government was keen on the matter. Tho committee had not taken out any figures to show why tho proposal should bo turned down. Mr. Windley (chairman) said ho was opposed to any conference at the. present moment. Ho moved as an amendment that the committpe's rocommendation' be adopted. Considerable discussion followed, and it was finally agreed that Councillor Mextcd's motion be withdrawn, and that the matter be referred back to the committee with the request that tho information be obtained for and against the proposal. Mr. Windley said he did not believe amalgamation would mean decreaso in administration costs, but he would go into the matter with an open mind. Councillor Mexted was added to the committee.