RICCARTON AVENUE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2024, 10 August 1920, Page 4

RICCARTON AVENUE.

QUESTION OF CONTROL.

' The question of the control of Rie- ' carton Avenue was discussed at a meeting of the Waimairi County Council [yesterday. Cr W. ('. Spencer presided. i A letter was read from the Ricearton Borough Council, protesting against the remarks hiade regarding the avenue, and asking the Waimairi council to explain more fnllv its action in the matter. I Cr C. W. Hervey stated that the Mayor of Ricearton hail told him that [the Ricearton Borough Council thought lit should have had an explanation of the jWaimairi council's reason for refusing :to give up control of the road. I The clerk then read a letter sent to Ithe Ricearton Borough Council. This I letter stated that, in reply to a request from the Riecarton council, that another conference should be held in connection I with the control of Ricearton Avenue, jthe Waimairi council did not intend to !fall a conference to discuss how it Ishould conduct its own business. ! Cr W. J. Walter said that another | conference should be held, and, if tho j position was fully explained, some !other local bodv might take over the 'park. I The chairman suggested that it should ilie put to the Ricearton council that it ■might have the control of the road, proIvi'ded the park was taken off the. hands of Waimairi County. "The park has an extremely high valuation," said the chairman, "and it is included in WaiImairi County for the purposes of raising the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board levy. It's no use to us."

Cr S. A. Staples said that both the City Council and Ricearton Borough Council had in the past declined to take the park. In his opinion, the Ricearton Avenue trouble was a case of jealousy. At present the City Council paid 52 per cent, of the upkeep of the road, Ricearton paid J 8 per cent., and Waimairi 8 per cent., the remainder being made up by Paparua Coujity. Yet, on the other hand, Waimairi County's levy for the Hospital Board rate was next highest to that of the city. He thought other local bodies should share the park area; every time Waimairi paid the levy they were making a present to other local bodies equivalent to their share in the area. He moved that the clerk be instructed to write to the Ricearton Borough Council, stating that, as the Waimairi County Council declines to allow any other local authority to take over the control of Ricearton Avenue, unless the park is also taken, there is no necessity for a further conference. , The. motion was carried.