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the existing counties have been faced can be overcome by the union of the districts we have recommended. The peculiarities in the North Canterbury region are dissimilar tO' many other localities in New Zealand. The general observations we have made, however,, regarding the local-government structure in the Dominion apply with equal force in many other instances. Our provisional decisions were promulgated on the 23rd December, 1949, with a view to co-ordinating the final decisions, as far as possible, with the date determined for the implementation of the final schemes regarding Christchurch metropolitan local government. Our final decisions cannot be made until after the implementation of our decisions relating to Christchurch, and for this reason further action has been deferred. Consideration was given at the inquiry to the question whether the Leeston Town District should be absorbed in the County of Ellesmere. Representations on this matter had previously been made to the Commission in 1947. A preliminary investigation had then been made, but it was decided to defer the matter until the review of all the local authorities in the area was undertaken. Leeston Town District, comprising an area of 391 acres, was constituted a dependent town district in May, 1922, and was granted the status of an independent town district on the 11th January, 1923. There has been only a slight increase in its population since 1926, the present population being 650. The rateable capital value of this district as at the 31st March, 1948, was £211,740, this value being the basis on which general rates are struck. An examination of the rating position revealed that the rate-payers of Leeston are paying a higher rate than they would pay if the district formed part of the County of Ellesmere and was administered pursuant to the Counties Amendment Act, 1949, as a county township. This recent statutory provision provides wider powers than existed hitherto for the purpose of township improvement and development. Separate rating areas may now be created by a County Council on receipt of a petition from a majority of the ratepayers, and on the creation of such areas ratepayers have certain rights of representation. This provision will enable finance to be provided in county townships for the construction and maintenance of public works, and such smaller urban areas can be improved and developed. While the Ellesmere County Council did not desire to include the Town District of Leeston in the county unless the Leeston residents supported such a proposal, it affirmed that there was nothing in the administration of the township that the county could not successfully undertake. The County Council hires its machinery to the Board, and when required has supplied road-metal from its quarry. The administration of the town district is undertaken by a part-time officer, and the Town Board employs one full-time employee and a casual labourer. No general amenities are provided by the Board, although small subsidies are granted to local organizations which provide a park and a public library. Evidence for and against the absorption of the district in the county was heard, and the Commission decided that until a general review of urban districts throughout the Dominion has been made the town district should be permitted to retain its separate existence. The question as to whether any scheme of reorganization should affect the status of the Dependent Town District of Southbridge was also considered at the inquiry. This rural township was constituted a dependent town district on the sth March, 1885, and comprises an area of 527 acres. No change in its status has been made in the intervening years. The population has fallen from 668 in 1886 to the estimated figure of 390 as at the Ist April, 1949. The rateable capital value, on which the rates are levied, was £92,440 at 31st March, 1948. If the town district was incorporated in the county, the ratepayers of the district would pay much lower rates than at present, and we considered that this district could be successfully administered by the Ellesmere County as a rural township. Here again the County Council's attitude was that, unless the residents of the town district supported