Local Body Amalgamation

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 4

Local Body Amalgamation

THREE COUNTIES FOR MANAWATU DISTRICT At yesterday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council the Local Government Amalgamation Bill was under review. The county clerk, Air. A. K. Drew, reported that in conversation with a Government official he had been in formed that the Bill had been circulated with the idea of impressing upon local bodies the necessity of some action be ing taken and also to give time for districts with community of interest 1L meet and discuss proposals. The official had stated, said Air. Drew, that the multiplicity of small bodies that at present existed was in some cases absolutely unnecessary and caused a very large amount of extra work in Govern mout departments. The principle behind the scheme of amalgamation was to have major local bodies in charge of areus large enough to give them a sound status with sufficient revenue coming in to enable them to deal with district schemes in a com prehensive and efficient manner. The suggestion had been put forward that the counties in the Dominion should be reduced to 40-50 in number and that all internal bodies such as town boards rabbit and drainage boards, etc., should come under the direct control of the County Council within whose area the) are domiciled. As far as the Manawatu district was concerned it had boon suggested that ultimately the whole area should be subdivided into two or at the most three counties.

After considerable discussion it was decided that a committee be set up by the council consisting of the chairman Mr. W. E. Barber, Crs. R. A. Wilson and A. N. Aloreom and the county clerk, Mr. A. K. Drew, to interview the respective internal bodies within the county and discuss .the situation with them.