DIVISION OF THE CITY INTO WARDS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1418, 31 August 1878, Page 3

DIVISION OF THE CITY INTO WARDS.

A meeting of ratepayers favorable to the formation of the city into wards was held last night in the small room of the Oddfellows’ Hall. Tho attendance was very small. After waiting for some time, those present, on tho motion of Mr Atkinson, voted Mr Briggs to the chair. The Chairman read the advertisement calling the meeting, and explained that the object ho had in view was the formation of a committee to further the adoption of the ward system in tho city of Christchurch, He read clause 21 of the Act, which detailed the steps necessary to he taken. The division of the city, proposed by him in the resolution which had been carried in the City Council, had been admitted by tho members of that body to be a fair one as regarded the voting power. Had Worcester street been adopted as the dividing line there would have been a preponderance of voting power in the south-east and south-west wards. _ He _hacl_ prepared a petition, in accordance with his views, which he would read to them. [Petition read.] He would now leave it to the meeting to appoint a committee, or to take such other action as they thought best. Mr Gapes considered it advisable to postpone action for tho present, as he understood that a petition to the Governor for tho annexation of one of the suburbs was being taken round for signatures. Were the suburb annexed, this might necessitate the whole work being done again. It might be answered that the suburb could be formed into a separate ward : but possibly the size of the poi’tion annexed would bo insufficient to entitle it to three representatives in the City Council. He might say that ho had been told that Phillipstown was likely to be annexed to the city. The chairman had been told that the people of Phillipstown were very much divided, and that there was no likelihood of the annexation taking place. Mr Gapes wished it to be understood that he was quite in favor of the ward system. The Chairman might say that the reason he had taken action was, that a gentleman now in the hall had told him that he (Mr Briggs) had been elected specially on account of his views in favor of the ward system. Perhaps that gentleman would move a resolution. Mr Theodore Arnold was the person alluded to by the chairman. Mr Briggs had said that he would advocate the division of the city into wards, and had kept his word. The fact was the City Council were againstintrodneingtho system, because they would have to submit themselves for re-election if it was adopted. He would propose that the following gentlemen be a committee for the purpose of getting the petition circulated and signed:—Messrs Ayers, Tremayne, Atkinson, Briggs, and tho mover, with power to add to their number. Mr Jones seconded the motion. The ward system would have prevented the formation of the borough of Sydenham. It was no use waiting for the suburbs, the city should begin at once. Tho suburbs wore afraid of having to pay heavier rates than they at present did, but he believed the different wards should not be all taxed alike. If the annexed suburb was too small it could have fewer members than three. Mr Treadwell said tho Act provided for three. Mr Jones thought the Act could easily be altered. Mr Ayers saw a difficulty at once from tho remarks of the last speaker. If tho various suburban wards were to have three representatives each, there would soon be fifty members in the Council. The Chairman said that the Act limited the number of wards to six, and the number of members to eighteen. Mr Ayres believed in each ward being represented by men living in it. He was prepared : himself to take the petition round for signa- ; ture. Mr Tremayne was sorry to sec so small an • attendance. He would like to see the matter \ deferred till after the election. He was not an , opponent of the ward system, for he believed , it would secure justice to each part of the city. _ i The Chairman informed the meeting that Mr Toomer had attended the meeting, hut had been compelled to leave. Mr Toomer was in favor , of the ward system being adopted at once. The resolution was then put. tho names of ] Messrs Gapes and Jones being added. _ I Mr Gapes asked to have his name withdrawn, as he was in favor of postponing action. Mr Tremayne moved as an amendment “ That the matter he deferred until Monday, tho 16th * September.” Mr Ayers seconded the amendment. He < wished it to be distinctly understood that the j postponement was in consequence of a petition ] in favor of the annexation of one of the suburbs t being taken round for signature. _ £ The Chairman believed the petition was no [ nearer consummation now than it was six x months ago. They should begin at once, and x with the city. The objectionable features of the system—the scramble for money—would not exist here, as the sti’eets were all made, the I footpaths arranged for, and the channelling 8 completed. The number of City Councillors was now too small for the work to be done, and i consequently much was left undone, e Mr Treadwell asked if a re-election would be c necessary ? * 8 The Chairman said it would upon the commencement of the system. Probably the system , would not come into force for a twelvemonth, t so that the re-election would he no hardship for c the present members, except to those who would 8 have to submit to be re-elected sooner than they 1 otherwise would. s Tho amendment was then put and carried by t 8 votes to 6. j This concluded the meeting.