GERALDINE COUNTY OFFICES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23013, 3 October 1944, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY OFFICES

Motion to Rescind Decision Temuka’s Attitude Discussed 1 Notice to move a resolution rescind- | ing the motion about Geraldine County i reorganisation, which was carried at the September meeting, was given by Cr. A. J. Davey at a meeting of the County Council yesterday. The resolution read: “That the headquarters of the Geraldine County Council remain at Geraldine, and that the engineer be asked to prepare plans for the reorganisation and consolidation of the Geraldine County yards, including the provision of offices (an architect to be consulted if necessary) and that requisite facilities for the efficient running of the Temuka Riding be retained at Temuka.’’ A letter of protest from the Temuka Progress League was received and noted. A letter from the Temuka branch of the Farmers' Union asked the Council to withhold the reorganisation plan pending the collection of fuller information, and until the findings of the Committee on Local Government were made known. It was agreed to reply informing the Farmers’ Union of Or. Davey’s notice of motion. Cr. J. Woodhead: It seems to be the considered opinion of ratepayers, that it would not be wise to embark on a building scheme immediately. The chairman (Mr K. Mackenzie): Nothing can be done till full investigations are made, but building costs are not likely to come down for five years. The price we can obtain for Council property may have some bearing on when we build. We must find out all this information before the Council can make a decision. Cr. Davey: The Council has made a decision. The chairman: The Council has made a decision to build, but has not decided when it will build. “Absolute Nonsense” In reply to a question by Cr. Woodhead, Cr. F. R. Flatman said he believed they should all be frank. He believed that they should have an office where they could run the Council efficiently, and if investigations showed this to be wise, they should build soon. A big sum should be saved each year if things were put on a moie efficient basis, and it was no good “dilly-dally-ing.” It appeared that the opposition was something in the nature of a “stonewall,’’ and it was time they settled it. He would not allow his vote to go for postponing the issue indefinitely. Temuka ratepayers had assured him they were behind the chairman in the retention of Geraldine as headquarters and the reorganisation scheme. He had heard statements that they were going to erect a building costing £25,000, and they were buying the land from Cr. Flatman. Such statements as these were absolute nonsense. He would never spend £1 where 10/- would do, and even if he possessed property he could not sell it to the Council. A suitable building could probably be built for £2500, and they did not know yet how much they could get for the sale of properties they owned. Cr. Davey said he could not follow the reasoning of the chairman and Cr. Flatman. His resolution asked for a full investigation of all locations, and

it woUid nave created more general satisfaction if it had been accepted The matter had been given insufficient consideration. Cr. C. Ley: It is definitely a “stonewall.” What are the Temuka people aiming at? Do they wish to get the office down there? Geraldine was at the centre and it had always been the Geraldine County. Was there a question that Temuka people felt that not enough money was spent at their end? Cr. Davey had made remarks decrying Geraldine, but if he was retiring and-looking for a place to live, he would choose Geraldine. Cr. Woodhead: We were not suggesting Temuka as a site, but fuller investigations. Cr. Flatman: The chairman was invited to meet the protesting ratepayers, but when he attended- the meeting only 14 turned out. Not Understood Cr. C. J. Kerr said that councillors had had ample time to make up their minds. He could not understand all the agitation from Temuka. He came 35 miles to meetings, but it was the efficiency of the county organisation that mattered and not the convenience of members. Statements had been made about the democratic rights of ratepayers, but Parliament did not consult the people each time it made a decision The chairman had not voted for a radical change but for the status quo. Cr. Davey: “I have a perfectly open mind as to where the offices should be but I want to be satisfied the right thing is being done." A wrong impression had been created by his remarks at the last meeting. It was not his intention to cast any reflection on Geraldine, but to point out that some of the members were not being consistent. A false impression bad been created by his words being used out of their context. He believed there should be more investigations There was a building in Temuka which might do for offices. Cr. A. D. Crossman: I think a wrong impression was created when the engineer's report went out, and the Temuka people thought they were going to lose something in the change This had "got their backs up” The Council had moved a little fast and if they moved slower they had an opportunity of coming to a unanimous decision. Cr. Flatman: It was unfortunate if the engineer’s report left the impression that everything would be moved from Temuka. He would not advocate that for a moment. He believed that new offices were necessary, and that they should build them in Geraldine as cheaply as possible. Victory Loan With two days to go, the Geraldine-Rangitata-Orari district has invested the sum of £40,154 in the Victory Loan This represents 60.3 per cent' of the revised quota of £66,600. The sum of £20,446 is still required.