CONFERENCE OF NORTHLAND LOCAL BODIES

Northern Advocate, 22 June 1937, Page 6

CONFERENCE OF NORTHLAND LOCAL BODIES

Amalgamation To Be Discussed With Minister

Convened by the North Auckland Counties’ Association, a conference of all Northland local bodies will be held in Whangarei tomorrow to discuss with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, the proposed Local Government. Amalgamation Schemes Bill. Two representatives will be present from each of the 32 local bodies in the area from Rodney to the N6rth Cape. The conference will open at the Town Hall at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, and the first business will be to appoint a chairman, the North Auckland Counties’ Association being at present without a president.' In August, 1933, a conference of delegates from the eight Northern counties was held in Whangarei, when it was decided, after considerable discussion, “that the conference adjourn to enable the several county councils to bold individual county discussions on the question of amalgamations, and that a further conference be convened by the president to be held when the suggested commission notifies its intention of visiting the Northern area, with the object of endeavouring to bring about some degree of co-ordin-ation of views.” ' No such conference was held. Origin of Scheme Circulated.

A possible scheme —in skeleton form —of amalgamations was prepared some time ago by the hon. secretary to the North Auckland Counties’ Association, and circulated to the whole of the local bodies concerned.

A copy of the scheme was also forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs for his information. The scheme outlined did not in any way originate with the Whangarei County Council It was prepared by the hon. secretary to the North Auckland Counties’ Association, with the sole object of focussing discussion and in forming some basis of approach. The scheme and its circulation have, however, resulted in bringing about some interesting observations and discussions which cannot but prove helpful in tomorrow’s deliberations.

Although not mentioned in the BiR it is suggested that hospital board representatives might derive some benefit and information from the Minister’s address and subsequent discussions. Mr Parry will open proceedings by giving an address on the general provisions of the. Bill, following which there will be a general discussion. Delegates Expected. Delegates are expected to attend as under:— Borough Councils: Whangarei, Mr W. Jones (Mayor) and Cr. R. S. Finch; Dargaville, Mr F. A. Jones (Mayor) and Cr. B. Berry. County Councils (chairmen mentioned first in each instance): Rodney, Messrs W. K. Becroft and W. J. Scholium; Otamatea, Messrs R. Coates arid S. J. S. Davidson; Whangarei, Messrs J. A. S. Mac Kay and T. N. Blake; Hobson, Messrs V. Trounson and E. Appleton; Hokianga. Messrs A. Yarborough and R. Petherbridge; Bay of Islands, Messrs H. T. Atkinson and A. E. Bisset; Whangaroa, Messrs H. R. Leslie and T. H. Hayes; Mangonui, Messrs W. Vickers and H. H. Thompson. &

Independent Town Districts; Hikurangi Town Board. Messrs R. Nesbht and E. W. Rickard; Kamo, Messrs M. Mclnnes and H. L. Younger; Kaitaia, Messrs J. T. B. Taaffe and W. H. Atkins; Kaikohe. Mr H. T. Atkinson (county chairman).

Town Districts Forming Part of County: Onerahi, Messrs A. S. Fagan and G. A. Hawkes; Russell, Messrs E. A. Neumann and A. H. Hitchcock; Kohukohu, Messrs Potter and R. Yar-

borough; Rawene, Messrs W. M. Cochrane and P. O’Donnell. Kawakawa will also be represented. Harbour Boards: Whangarei, Messrs J. A. Finlayson and E. L. Whimp; Bay of Islands, Messrs J. G. Ritchie and J. W. McAulay; Hokianga, Mr A. Yarborough; Whangaroa, Messrs H. R. Leslie and T. H. Hayes. Representatives from the Mangonui Harbour Board will also be present. River Boards: Waipu, Messrs R. F. McKay and A. K. Russell. Land Drainage Boards: Raupo, Messrs W. H. Lethbridge and W. A. Preston.

Hospital Districts: Kaipara, Messrs P. R. Walden and W. Collins; Whangarei, Messrs A. Clarke and F. Higginson; Bay of Islands, Messrs C. F. C. Miller and T. J. Dunlop; Hokianga, the chairman; Whangaroa, Messrs H. R. Leslie and T. H. Hayes; Mangonui, Messrs T. S. Houston and W. Vickers. The following members of Parliament have also been invited: The Rt. Hen. J. G. Coates, P.C., M.P.. (Kaipara); Mr J. G. Barclay, M.P., (Marsden); Captain H. M. Rushworth, M.P.. (Bay of Islands).