COUNTY MERGER

Grey River Argus, 24 April 1937, Page 2

COUNTY MERGER

INANGAHUA COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

At the County Council meeting, a letter was read from the Minister of Internal Affairs, re. amalgamation of the Counties of Grey and Inangahua, and asking that a conference be held with the Grey County Council on 'the matter. The chairman stated the letter was the only correspondence receiv. cd from the Internal Affairs Depart, ment on the matter. It was thought advisable that the views of tire ratepayers should be obtained on the question. A meeting had been held at Ikanratua, where it was suggested, that a petition of ratepayers be prepared opposing a merger. Meetings had been held at Reefton, a.t Gronadun and at Inangahua Juncwon. At all places amalgamation had been opposed. At Inangahua Junction the County Council had been paid a compliment in That ratepayers at Lyell had enquired .'is to the possibility of joining the In. angahua County. At all places, opp'osi. lion to amalgamation had been unanim. ous.

Ci'. Seawright considered that the matter of a conference with the County of Grey should remain in abeyance. Inangahua opposed amalgamation, and the Minister would bei informed of this. At this stage, a conference with the Grey County was notl

necessary. The chairman .read the petition to be presented to Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs on the matter. Cr. Mclnroe stated Mr Robinson, a member of the Grey County, had stat, ed that the Grey County was opposed to amalgamation. The’ chairman Stated the Minister

had only tentatively put forward the amalgamation of Inangahua and Grey. A conference should be held with thel Grey County to hear the views of the latter. If it, were opposed t 0 the idea) he did' not think any Minister would’ force amalgamation. If the confer, ence were held the position would be clarified, ami he considered the body who made the initial move stood in the best positron. Cr. Clayton said Grey County had been approached by the Minister, and it was their place to meet the Inangahua County. Cr. O’Regan said Inangahua had not been invited tio the conference of local bodies at Grey mouth, concerning amalgamation, and he did not think that the Grey County desired amalgamation with Inangahua. If the amalgamation came about local ratepayers, would be saddled with higher rates The petition should certainly be pro ceeded with

Cr. Blackadder moved and! Cr. O’Regan seconded, that the. action of the deputy.ehairman and Councillors who had moved in the matter be en. d'orsed.—Carried.

The. chairman read the report of the Counties’ Association on the amalgamation question. Some rate, payers had refused to .sign the peti. lion, taking the view that, by signing the petition, they were voicing a vote of no confidence' in the Minister’s policy. This was not correct!, as the Minister had' only tentatively suggested amalgamation. Cr. Mclnroe moved and Cr. Watson seconded, that Grey County representatives be invited to meet lives of Inangahua County Council in conference at Reefton, on April 27th. to discuss the matter of amalgamation.