S—46l

3

1*

The boundaries having been provisionally determined, maps were prepared illustrating the proposed electoral districts and descriptions of each electoral, district were published in the New Zealand Gazette of 3rd April, 1946, notice being given, that objections to the proposed boundaries would be received up to noon on 6th May, 1946. The Commission re-assembled on 15th May, 1946, to deal with the 123 objections received, the schedule attached setting out the nature of the objections received and the • decision of the Commission in each case. In view of the nature of the objections received from the Ota go and Southland districts, the Commission visited the South Island and investigated on the ground the boundaries of the Oamaru, North Dunedin, Dunedin Central, Mornington, St. Kilda, Clutha, Central Otago, Awarua, and Wallace Electoral Districts. As a result? of this inspection, a number of changes in the boundaries were effected, which more adequately comply with the considerations of community of interest, facilities of communication, and topographical features. Having dealt with the objections, the Commission, as directed by the provisions of section 41 of the Licensing Amendment Act, 1910, and section 10 of the Electoral Amendment Act, 1945, declared as licensing districts the districts described as such in the schedule attached to this report. The Commission therefore respectfully submits for Your Excellency's consideration as schedules to this report: — (1) Schedule of objections stating the nature of each objection and the decision of the Commissipn. (2) Descriptions of the boundaries of each electoral district and the names thereof. (3) Schedule of the adult population in each electorate. (4) Descriptions of the licensing districts not identical with electoral districts and the names thereof: (5) Maps showing the boundaries of the electoral districts and the licensing districts described in (4) above. The Commission was unable, owing to the restriction imposed by the limited allowance of 500, to adequately respect communities of interest. This was particularly evident in the cases of the electoral districts on the west coast of the South Island and the boundary between the Hawke's Bay and Gisborne Electoral Districts where objections were based on grounds that were just and reasonable. The notice of the Commission was also drawn to certain anomalies in the definition of the licensing districts, particularly in regard to city licensing districts which, according to the restrictions of the Licensing Amendment Act, 1910, impose distinct limitations on the areas administered by a city licensing Committee. The Commission would therefore respectfully recommend that the attention of Your Excellency's Advisers be drawn to the following matters (1) Increasing the tolerance allowed above or below the quota from the present figure of 500 to per cent, of the quota in order that better consideration may be given to the consideration of community of interests. (2) The effect of the non-inclusion of licensed premises in the Remuera Licensing District which may preclude racing clubs within the district from obtaining conditional licenses for race meetings. (3) The effect of the change in the boundaries of the Invercargill Electoral District which may preclude the Invercargill Licensing Trust from having jurisdiction over licensed premises now in the course of erection in South Invercargill. Given under our hands and seals, this 7th day of June, 1946. R. G. Dick. T. W. Preston. A. Blake. Harman Reeves. C. L. Grange. Arthur Rosser, J.P. L. J. Poff.