ANOTHER CITY MEMBER ON BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 72, 25 March 1931, Page 7

ANOTHER CITY MEMBER ON BOARD.

NEW REPRESENTATION OF HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

The city of Christchurch is entitled to an additional representative on the North Canterbury Hospital Board, increasing its representation from eight members to nine on a board composed of twenty members. It is proposed to increase the representation at the elections in May.

In order to permit the city’s increase in membership, the A'muri County Council will lose its separate member and will be grouped with Kaikoura and Cheviot counties.

It was explained to the board today, when notification to this effect was received, that the population of the city had increased at a greater pace than that of the country districts affected.

The Director-General of Health (Dr M. H, Watt) wrote forwarding a schedule based on the latest available population and valuation figures, setting out the appointment of representation on the board. By this the Christchurch city’s representation should be increased by one member, whereas the Amuri County was not entitled to separate representation. It was proposed to combine the Amuri County with the Kaikoura and Cheviot Counties, making Amuri the principal contributory district. An Order-in-Council giving effect to the amended appointment was now in the course of preparation. It was proposed to give effect to the amended representation at the forthcoming city election. Figures Given. The figures affecting the districts concerned were shown in the schedule as follows:—Amuri Countv, rateable capital value, £2,465,165; population 2220; proportion to present number on board, 0.460; present appointment, one member. Kaikoura County, rateable capital value, £1,635,730; population, 2365; proportion to present number on board, 0.360; present appointment, one member. Cheviot County, rateable capital value £1,698,271; population 1320; proportion to present number on board, 0.320; present appointment, one member shared with Kaikoura. It was proposed that, in future one member should represent all these bodies. The figures for Christchurch city were given as follows: rateable capital value, £28,169,042; population, 88,500; proportion to present number on board; eight; proposed appointment, nine. Members expressed doubt as to how the change could be made, owing to the fact that the city representatives are elected next month, and the county representatives are not elected until next year. It was pointed out that if an additional city member were elected in May, then the board would have one member too many until the county elections were held. Inquiries to be made.

When several members raised this question, the chairman (Mr H. J. Otley) said that inquiries would have to be made as to the position that would arise. It was a question of interpreting the Act. Mr W. J. Walter said that he was quite prepared to let the city have its additional member, but he was opposed to a by-election in the Amuri-Kaikoura-Cheviot district. \ “ I think that the board is far too big as it is,” said Mr A. T. Smith. “It would be far better to have fewer members and get the work done quickly and without so. much talk. If you had many more * yabberers * like me, you would be here for a week.” Members: Hear, hear.

Mr Smith added that he was quite prepared to drop out in order that the size of the board could be reduced. It was decided to receive the letter and make further inquiries into the position.