MOUNT HUTT COUNTY COMMISSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16260, 29 October 1920, Page 5

MOUNT HUTT COUNTY COMMISSION.

The Commission appointed by the Governor-Gencral-in-Council to inquire and report as to whether the area described in the Mount Hutt County Bill, 1920, should be constituted a separate county, sat at the Ashburton Courthouse yesterday morning. The members, of the Commission were:—Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M. (chairman), Mr H. D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, and Mr F. Stowell, district valuer, Timaru. • The order of reference for the ComHutt district would be better served by inclusion or exclusion from the present County of Ashburton; (2) whether, if severance were advisable, the present boundaries of tho, Mount Hutt Road District should apply to the new county, or whether other boundaries w'ould be suitable. The Commission was required to report on this matter within fourteen .days from October 18. Representatives from the Ashburton County Council (Mr C. W. Purnell), and from the Mount Hutt Road Board (Mr J, W. M. Dart) were present, as well as representatives of the Ashburton Borough Council,, Tinwald and Hampstead Town Boards, and of seven county road boards. Evidence in support of a separate Mount Hutt County was given by Messrs Dart, W. T. P. Lock (chairman Mount Hutt Board). James Cow', H Maginness and W. W. Goodwin, the two last named being representatives of, the Mount Hutt Riding on the Ashburton County Council, Messrs Purnell, A, Drummond (chairman County Council,, Charles Mornson (county engineei). and C. Reid (chairman Ashburton Hospital Board), gave evidence against the constitution of Mount Hutt as a separate county. The Commission then adjourned until 1 p.m. to-day, when further witnesses against the Bill will be heard.