METROPOLITAN WORKS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15210, 22 January 1910, Page 7

METROPOLITAN WORKS.

PROPOSED BOARD OF CONTROL. One of The matters discussed at a recent conference of Burgesses’ Associations in Christchurch was a proposal that the control and administration of metropolitan undertakings should be governed by a single authority, instead of by a multiplicity of powers as at present. A schemo has beep formulated by tho secretary of the' Sydenham Burgesses’ Association, Air 11. Hunter, and at .last evening’s meeting of the St Albans Burgesses’ Association the subject was discussed at considerable length. There were about forty members present, and Air T. E. Taylor, M.P., attended the meeting by invitation. Mr 11. E. Morgan, the president, was in the chair. Air AV. H. Gulliver said that the duties proposed to be conferred upon the Board of Works were much too cumbersome/ for a few men to caivy out satisfactorily. To do so, they, would have to devote their whole time to municipal affairs, and would therefore have to be paid. The scheme formulated by Mr Hunter was, he considered, unworkable, though it was, patent that some extensive reform would have to be made. The chairman objected to the scheme on the ground that the difficulty of securing attention for minor works would become even greater than it was under existing conditions. The present system had proved an expensive one for the ratepayers. Councillor G. Hyde said that a mere practical proposal was that a Board of Works should be established, similar.to those existing in London and Alelbourne, to control all largo Undertakings such as drainage, lighting, street

formation, water supply and stree* .tramway services. Air J. A. Blank said that both London and Alancliester were working towards centralised control of all municipal undertakings. He believed that a Board of Works could administer the affairs of the city more, cheaply and more satisfactorily than a multiplication of controlling bodies could. Air T. E. Taylor said that beyond a vague notion that some change was needed, Mr Hunter had evidently no detailed scheme for the consideration of the ratepayers. When the Greater Christchurch proposal was being advocated, it was argued that the amalgamation would reduce the cost of administration and secure greater efficiency* He doubted very much whether - any economy had been effected, though he did not think the efficiency was any less. Mr Hunter’s scheme demanded a board of experts, comprising a financial adviser, practically corresponding to the town clerk and treasurer, and others corresponding to tho city surveyor, the chief inspector and other officers already in the service of the ratepayers. The Board of Works would be merely an advisory committee, whose recommendations would have to be endorsed by an elective corporation before they could be carried out. It was eventually decided to appoint a committee of seven to confer with other organisations considering the matter and to obtain information res lating to municipal reform.