ELECTION OF WAIMAKARIRI RIVER TRUST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18946, 17 December 1929, Page 13

ELECTION OF WAIMAKARIRI RIVER TRUST.

CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION NOMINEES SELECTED. For the W T aimakariri River Trust election, which will take place on January 14, the Christchurch Citizens’ Association has decided to support the candidature of Sir Francis Boys and Messrs A. Manhire and J. A. Flesher, who are sitting members of the board for the central district. Mr F. W. Freeman, who at present occupies a seat on the board, having intimated his desire to retire from the trust owing to pressure of other public duties, the Citizens’ Association has decided to nominate Mr G. Gould in his place. If elected, it is the intention of the Citizens' Association candidates to move for legislation giving additional representation to the City of Christchurch. At present, the association claims, the central district contributes at least 70 per cent of the rates, and has only about 40 per cent of the representation. The association also claims that great anomalies are created by the present system under which the district is divided for rating purposes. People living as far away as St Martins are in the same class as those living at Papanui. The degree of danger from floods is considered to be much less at St Martins than at Papanui, because of the greater distance of the former from the river. It is therefore proposed to introduce a rating system based on the degree of danger to the various districts in the trust’s area. An effort will be made to have the present date of the election altered, as, coming as it does in the middle of the holiday season, it is not a suitable time to test the mind of the public. The election will take place on January 14, and nominations will close at noon on Friday, January 3. The Lai bour Party is unlikely to take any part in the election, principally on account of the fact that the franchise is restricted to ratepayers only and plural voting is allowed.