H—2B

12

adjustments were concerned there was merit in the observations which were made by the City Council, more particularly where the fixing of responsibility as between the City Council and the adjoining local authorities for highways and roads were concerned, and effect was given to a number of these minor adjustments in the final schemes. In respect of objections by individuals or organizations against their inclusion in or exclusion from the city, it was decided to make a further inspection of the areas. Before doing so, however, the local authorities and all ratepayers in the areas concerned were notified of the nature of the objections and asked for their views. The further inspection was subsequently made, and the final schemes promulgated provided for the inclusion in the city of an additional 248 acres, and the exclusion therefrom of a further 81 acres. The areas finally included in the city, including the estuary, which comprises some 1,300 acres, totalled 15,571 acres. Two matters of major significance which were confirmed in one of the final schemes were, first, that statutory provision be made providing for a poll of the ratepayers of the reorganized City of Christchurch to be undertaken on the question of the adoption or rejection of the unimproved-value system of rating throughout the area, and secondly, that, with a view to preserving local interest and reconciling the conflict between democratic principles and technical efficiency, local districts with elected district committees be constituted throughout the metropolitan area. The matter of a poll on the question of the adoption or rejection of the unimprovedvalue rating system arose as a result of a recommendation by the Local Bills Committee in 1947 to refer the petition presented to the House to the Local Government Commission for its consideration and recommendation. After hearing evidence on the matter, we were of the opinion that it would be in the interests of the ratepayers of the reorganized City of Christchurch if such a poll were taken, especially as many of the added areas were rated on a different system from that of the City of Christchurch. In recommending the constitution of local district committees throughout the metropolitan area, it was felt that if general legislative effect was given to our recommendation, local interest in larger urban districts with local responsibilities would not only be preserved, but stimulated, the spirit of community service would be built up, and the democratic ideals of local government would be enhanced. In general, the provisional decisions of the Commission were, with minor adjustments of boundaries, reaffirmed in the final schemes promulgated on 21st September, 1949, and on their implementation will, we believe, be in the best interests of the citizens of Greater Christchurch. In the Commission's report on the Christchurch metropolitan inquiry, reference was made to the effect of our findings on the four counties surrounding Christchurch. We were of the opinion that, although it would be possible for these counties to continue to operate, it was imperative that we should consider the position at an early date to ascertain whether, in terms of general efficiency, some reorganization of the county structure in the North Canterbury region was necessary and desirable. An indication, by way of general comment, was given in the report to the effect that as soon as possible after the issue of the final schemes for metropolitan local government an inquiry would be instituted into the government of the rural areas surrounding Christchurch. Further, in order that there should be as little disorganization as possible in the government of the counties surrounding Christchurch, we recommended that our decisions relating to metropolitan local Government should not be implemented until decisions on the future government of the county areas were made. In making this recommendation we had in mind that any changes which might be made in the county structure should be made contemporaneously with the changes in the structure of the Christchurch metropolitan area. In keeping with this undertaking, an inquiry was commenced into