H—2B

40

Six provisional schemes providing for the following matters were promulgated on the 23rd December, 1949 : (1) Alterations of the boundaries of the counties of Ellesmere, Eyre, Malvern, Paparua, and Selwyn, and upon such alterations being effected, the union of the counties of Malvern, Selwyn, and Tawera. (2) Upon the alterations of the boundaries of the counties of Ellesmere, Eyre, Malvern, Paparua, and Selwyn being effected, and upon the inclusion in the City of Christchurch of portions of the counties of Halswell, Heathcote, Paparua, and Waimairi, and the exclusion of an area from the City of Christchurch and its inclusion in the County of Heathcote, as provided in the final schemes 2-5 and 7 relating to Christchurch metropolitan local Government, the union of the counties of Ellesmere, Halswell, Heathcote, Paparua, Springs, and Waimairi. (3) The union of the counties of Akaroa, Mount Herbert, and Wairewa. (4) Upon the alterations of the boundaries of the counties of Eyre and Paparua, the union of the counties of Ashley, Eyre, Kowai, Oxford, and Rangiora. (5) Upon the union of the counties of Ashley, Eyre (with boundaries as adjusted), Kowai, Oxford, and Rangiora, the transfer of the functions, assets, and liabilities of the Waimakariri-Ashley Water-supply Board to the Council of the united county comprising the districts of the aforesaid five counties, and, contemporaneously with the election of such Council, the dissolution of the Waimakariri-Ashley Water-supply Board. (6) The abolition of the Dependent Town District of Southbridge, and its merger in the County of Ellesmere, or in such other county of which the County of Ellesmere may form part. Objections to the provisional schemes have been lodged, but the Commission has withheld action in connection therewith pending the implementation of the final schemes relating to Christchurch metropolitan local government. VII. ALTERATION OF BOUNDARIES: NOT INVOLVING PUBLIC INQUIRIES (1) Whakatane Borough : Whakatane County On the 29th April, 1949, the Whakatane Borough Council requested the Commission to give consideration to the alteration of its boundaries by the exclusion of a small area of approximately 14 acres from the Whakatane County and its inclusion in the borough. Both local authorities, as well as the owner of the property, were in agreement on the proposal. A provisional scheme was promulgated, following investigations into the matter, on the 15th September, 1949, and as no objections were lodged, a final scheme was promulgated on the 28th October, 1949. (2) Waipa County : Raglan County Arising out of a request to the Waipa County Council from ratepayers in the Pirongia West area of the Raglan County for the transfer of an area approximating 7,000 acres to the Waipa County, both counties requested the Commission to give consideration to the proposal, and signified their assent to same. The proposal was investigated, and we were satisfied that the adjustment was in the best interests of both counties and the ratepayers in the particular area. A provisional scheme was promulgated on the 6th October, 1949, and no objections were lodged. The final scheme was promulgated on the 29th November, 1949.