Amalgamation of Local Bodies

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 291, 9 December 1936, Page 3

Amalgamation of Local Bodies

PROPOSED BILL CONSIDERED. “Listen, gentlemen, this is a serious matter” said Cr. W. E. Barber (chairman) at yesterday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council in directing attention to a copy of the Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill which was received from the Department of Internal Affairs. He went on to say that the provisions of the proposals placed on the council the onus of taking action in the direction of probing the possibilities of amalgamation of lesser local bodies in the district. The council proceeded to consider the Bill, councillors understanding that unless some action were taken, the Minister had power, where the occasion demanded, to enforce amalgamation. Cr. J. Boyce said that if the council agreed to go into a scheme it would mean bringing in the Bongotea Town Board, the three district drainage boards and the rabbit board, but he was dead against this. “And so am I” said the chairman. “Yes,” said Cr. R. A. Wilson, “the drainage boards are doing special work which wo could not possibly undertake.”

“And further,” said Mr. Boyce, “we would lose the benefit of the knowdedge of the peculiar work in possession of members of the drainage boards. Wo don’t know their work and I don't think we could take over the responsibility. I think the whole thing is ridiculous.”

‘‘So do I,” said Cr. Wilson. “It looked all right when spoken about from the public platform but when the position was investigated it was seen that it would not work.” The chairman said that the council could not go over the miles and miles of drains and acquaint itself personally with the peculiar work of the drainage boards. Cr. Boyce was satisfied that no-one could do the work required cheaper than the drainage boards.' In the course of his reading of the clauses of the proposed bill the County Clerk (Mr. A. K. Drew) said that the idea was that the major local authority should make the move, but if it failed to act then lesser local authorities could force the issue. There was provision to appoint commissions to review amalgamation schemes and to hear objections. One of the most important clauses in the proposed bill empowered county councils to abolish minor local authorities, such as road boards and drainage boards, within its area. This provision was by way of enabling the way to be cleared for a major scheme. Cr. J. H. Perrett suggested that some measure of absorption might be achieved if the county council was given the right to transfer to itself the rating powers of the smaller local bodies.

Cr. Wilson thought this suggestion sound. Given control of the rating powers the council could delegate to committees tho purely administrative work.

Cr. Boyco questioned whether such a scheme would be workable. He doubted whether drainage boards would be agreeable to being absorbed. 0

It was decided to defer further consideration until the next meeting of the council.