WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1920, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30th,

READJUSTMENT OF REPRESENTATION IN RIDINGS.

The following report from the Clerk and Treasurer of the Council was read at to-day’s Council meeting:— Sir & Gentlemen, —I have the honor to remind you that pursuant to Section 25 of “The Counties Act” it is necessary preceding every general election to hold a meeting for the purpose of considering the representation of the different Ridings, the Council shall if necessary adjust the same so that the representations of the several ridings shall as far as possible be proportioned to the rateable value and number of electors in each Riding respectively.” To enable members to consider the position , particulars are supplied of the rateable value and number of electors in each Riding as follows: —

596,686 89,124 685,810 I venture to submit for tile consideration of members a proposal to revert to say three Ridings of three members each, thus retaining the present number of councillors, and adapting the present Ridings into three Ridings by a, scheme of amalgamation: Thus Dillman, Stafford and Arahura would be converted into the Northern Riding. Kanicr, Kokatahi and Rimu Ridings Ridings would be converted into the Ceneral Ridings. Totnra, Okarito and Okuru Ridings would be converted into the Southern Riding. This adjustment would give the following rateable value and numbers of electors:

Northern 98,272 33,030 126,302 530 ! Central 198,396 47,848 246,244 483 Southern 305,018 8,246 313,264 474 I believe the rearrangement would be in the financial interest of the Council generally. The single Riding representation has worked satisfactorily in many respects, but the falling or restricted revenue of some of the Ridings lias brought them so much ‘-to debit, that if the arrangement does not come about a change in the incidence of the rating of the separate Ridings will be imperative. That is, the Ridings which are not in credit will be rated at a higher sum per pound to wipe out their debt and to enable works necessary to be carried on. I doubt very much if a system of differential rating such as might be necessary will give satisfaction, and as a consequence the work of the Council will not run as smoothly as it has done hitherto. The uniform rate. at. present is six farthings in the £ capital value. It might become necessary if the single Ridings are continued to raise the rates to eight, ten or even twelve farthings in the £ to carry on in some of the Ridings, while in one or two other cases it might be possible to reduce the rates to four or even three farthings. The increase in wages, the added cost of material, and the expected rise in -the levy for hospital and charitable aid purposes, is likely to put an increased strain on the County Fund Account, and any increase of rating would require to be on a differential basis. It is necessary therefore to consider some change. I believe the three Ridings as proposed will serve well. There is an equality in the number of electors on the basis proposed, and the next valuation should brine the rateable values into better equality. In the three Ridings suggested there is also some equality of local interests, and the community of interests at present subsisting between neighbouring Ridings will bo preserved. Regarding the matter from the Council’s point of view, I feel impelled to recommend the adjustment above proposed, and on the Chairman’s notice ot motion, members will have the opportunity of fully discussing same D. J. EVANS, Clerk and Treasurer.

Riding, © O $ « 2 P3 a a 3 .9 75 -5 Total Numb< elector Hillmans 41,650 7,640 49,290 214 Stafford 21,704 12,134 33,838 203 Aralmra 29,918 13,256 43,174 113 Kanieri 19,948 6,856 26,804 159 Kokatahi 157,044 430 157,474 129 Riinn 21,404 40,562 61,966 195 To tar a 94,574 6.034 100,608 157 Okarito 143,488 1,420 144,908 171 Okuru 69,956 792 67,748 146

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