CITY BOUNDARY ROADS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12646, 2 June 1919, Page 5

CITY BOUNDARY ROADS.

OPENING OF A COMMISSION. POSITION OF HOSPITAL. A Boundaries Commission was opened in the Provincial Council Chambers this morning, Mr H. D. M. Haszard being tho commiaioner. There were also in attendance Air 11. R. , Smith (town dork), Air A. D. Ford and Councillor F. George (Riccarton Borough Council), A, Lawrence Gee. (town clerk, Riocarlon)i A. Atanhire (Mayor of Spreydon), G. S. Cowpor (Heathcote County Council), S. A. Staples (Waimairi County Council), and W. Nicholls (Hospital Board). The Commissioner said that tho inquiry would hot bo based on, strictly legal procedure. Ho had come there to get tho views of the various parties as to the amendments desired on the various boundary roads about tho city. The proposal .came from the City Council, and Air H. R-. Smith, the town clerk, would produce plans of the areas. Mr Smith said the object of the Citv Council had in view was to bring all the boundary roads within tho city so as to have one set of traffic by-laws. At present the boundaries were erratic. Tn one case there was portion of a road at Riccarton which belonged to neither the city nor Riccarton. Air Staples: 11 A No Alan’s Land." Air 'smith spoke as to the serious position existing at present in connection with motor traffic. Tho Citv Council did not want to force anything on the other councils; they desired to come to an agreement acceptable to all. M> Smith gave details as to various points. It was suggested, with Waimairi’s approval, to make Strownn Road, the citv boundary. It was only a question cf well-defined and proper boundaries—there was no desire for annexation. The Commissioner suggested that probably it would be bettor if the sitting was adjourned for a time so that the representatives could assimilate. the proposals. Air H. R. Smith said that under ihe present arrangement each local authority' mraniained its channels and footpaths, and the city the roadway. There was an exception in Spreydon. which, borough maintained a portion of a ho-midarv roan. In answer to Air George. Air Smith said that in the event of the city taking over the boundaries it was with the intention of putting all the by-laws in force. Tho Comissioncr said the hospital was not in what tho city was asking for. Air Ford asked if tho boundaries could not remain as they were at present, and tho city by-laws be operative Air Smith replied that the by-laws could not operate unless the area specified was legally brought, into the city. Mr Ford said there was the necessary provision in the Public "Works Act. Air W. Y. Siddnll (Woolston) said WoolstoU did object to the by-laws ruling as to the footpaths. One question of importance was that the citv had its electric supply passing through Wools ton, and that borough also had its own installation. Air George said that he knew his council would not agree to part with their footpath in Lincoln Road on any consideration. One of their objections was that they had an electric reticulation scheme, and he did not think citv by-laws should come amongst their ratepayers. As to the matter of shifting the boundary on Lincoln Road back to the side-channel ho would like to refer that to his council. Air George asked Mr Smith as to the driving of stock by-laws Air Smith said for tho Commissioner’s information that the question of stock driving was a very vexed one in the district under notice, and there was. he thought, a difference in the by-laws with the adjacent borough of Spreydon. Air Cowper (TTeatbcote County Council) said that many of their boundaries were river boundaries. The whole of Buckley’s Road was in the countv. and the city by-laws did not apply there at nlh He thought there should be uniformity as to all boundaries, wliether it was the middle of the rivers or the side of the road. Air TV. Nicholls, delegate from the Hospital Board, said that the board was anxious that the Christchurch Citv Council should take over the hospital grounds. There were 160 employees there, and at present these had no vote, hut if the City Council took over the grounds they would have a vote. Thus they would gain a- great boon. The area of the grounds was eight acres. The hospital employees were in Waimairi. and that franchise did not allow them to vote- The Hospital Board was anxious to get the boundaries defined. The Commissioner asked, unless tbo grounds wore fenced and defined by survey, bow could they define it? Air George said the river was one boundary. Mr Nicholls said the board was prepared to have the survey made. The Citv Council would do all it could to help. Air H. R. Smith remarked {.hat the c ; tv bad no control over the Hospital whatever. Mr S. A. Staples said Waimairi would I be only too pleased if the City Council took over the whole of the Hospital and the parka. Air Nicholls said that this would luivo the effect of getting the road kept in h"+f.<'r <wdor. Regarding Strownn Road. Mr Staples sjoU hj« would like to discuss that point wrh Pi- council Afr Smith said he supposed it washisi duty to support the annexation of the Hospital,- seeing that the council hatt already passed a. resolution. Afneh conversational discussion took place as to the operation of the citv hv-laws provided the proposals suhmwtpd were a<rr.'ed to. The Commissioner said that what wa.« wante.l vras something definite {.hat CO’>kl he gazetted. Ultimately, in o«!e- that the delegates could discuss fha matter with their various Wal hodic«. the Commission was adjourned until 10 a.m. on •Tune 16.