TOWN AND COUNTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23866, 21 July 1939, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY

CONFLICTING INTERESTS PENINSULA COUNTY'S PROBLEM MOVE TO ALTER RIDING BOUNDARIES A proposal that the question _ of separating rural and urban districts in the Peninsula County should be discussed with the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) was made by Cr W. Brookman at the monthly meeting of the County Council yesterday, and was welcomed by other councillors as the only way to find a solution to a difficult problem. . The proposition that certain farming properties in the North-East Harbour Riding should be transferred to the Highcliff Riding was sponsored by Cr J. J. Nyhon, who objected in principle to the farmers rates going towards the cost of the provision of facilities for the residential areas. A lette* protesting against any such move was received from the North-East Harbour Ratepayers and Householders’ Association.. Farmers Penalised “ It is a persecution on the farming community, and on its power to make a living,” stated Cr Nyhon. “ Townships in the country, such as Macandrew Bay, are going ahead and may soon be portion of the city. They should go ahead on their own and not interfere with the country districts.” Putting forward as his principal argument that he did not want to rob a neighbouring riding of its revenue, Cr D. J. S. Robertson, representing the Highcliff Riding, to which the farmers wished to transfer, stated, in addition, that the properties would increase in value with the development of the township, and that the owners would derive considerable benefit when or if they sold their sections. Danger of Precedent The danger of establishing a precedent by altering the riding boundaries was pointed out by Cr Brookman. There was no knowing where such an action was going to finish, and he also emphasised, that the farmers asking for the transfer had no outlet into the Highcliff Riding, and therefore derived all benefits (including street lighting) from the North-East Harbour Riding roads. The new member for the Broad Bay Riding (Cr R. G. Habershon) was of the opinion that there was a great deal of farming land in NorthEast Harbour Riding which could never be built on. He would like to see the urban district go ahead, but as long as it was linked with country districts it could not, as the farmers would oppose any progressive move which would not materially assist them. It was not fair, moreover, that the farmers should be asked to share the cost of facilities from which they could not benefit. The rural and urban districts should be separated and the princinle extended to other residential areas in the county. “That will only have the effect of driving those districts out of the county.” stated Cr Brookman, but Cr Habershon rejoined that it should be easy for a boundary to be fixed beyond which building could not take place. A similar suggestion had been made by Cr Nyhon at the last meeting. but it was pointed out then that no authority for fixing such a boundary existed. Valuation Relief Rounding off the discussion, Cr Harbrow drew attention to the fact that residential areas already had special rates for lighting, and that farmers in the riding had received special relief in the capital value of their pronerties to offset extra rates. After Cr Nyhon had reiterated that he did not wish to affect the revenue of the riding if it could possibly be avoided, and expressed a hone that a way could be found to delineate between rural and urban districts. Cr Brookman- made his suggestion that the matter should be discussed with the Minister of Internal Affairs.