RIDING BOUNDARY ALTERATIONS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 252, 1 December 1914, Page 1

RIDING BOUNDARY ALTERATIONS.

Duri.g tLe course of tLe proceeding at trie meeting of the County Council on Wtdresday the Council formally resolved itsJf into a special meeting lor the puipose of co: firming the Special Order for alteration "ot the boundaries of the Puktkahe Riding by dividing the present r:dirg and making two tidings to be known as Pukekohe East ad Pukekohe West respectively; and altering the b un J ari s of fie Ilunua, Merce-, Drury, kauku, and PukekoLe Ridings by transferring frr.m one riding to another where the land is contiguous and the interests are in common." Ii connection with the matter a letter was leal trom Mr J. Batty, chaiimaa ti the Karaka Road Board, Celling attenlicn to the severance of a portion of the Runciman ward to the Drury rdiing. tie stated that some time ago ha olLrai, on behalf of the Karaka Road Board, the same boundary line that the Council had now laid off to adopt (not knowing then that it could not be legally done). He subsequently acquainted a few of the Runciman r.ad ratepayers with the offer he had made and they strongly objected and stated he should have the boundary line at Mr Strong's shop. His Bjard were advised by their solicitors that such boundaries as were proposed could not be made except by a petition or poll of the ratepayers affected, and his Board therefore respectfully suggested that the Council should either act on a petition or take a poll before making the severance.

The chairman remarked that if Mr Batty's contention was correct nil the alterations made and proposed would be rendered null and void His opinion was, however, that boundaries could be altered by the Council without reference being made to the ratepayers. The Couucil's solicitor, Mr A. Hanna, who was present at the meeting, confirmed the opinion given by the chairman. Cr Henry pointed out that the portion of Runciman referred to by Mr Battv was being transferred] to Drury in view of the probable future establishment of a Town Board for Drury, which would include that particular part of Runciman. Cr Wilcox urged the postponement of the confirmation of the Order altering the boundaries. He said tfcat so far as his (Pukekohe) riding was cSJJcerncd there had been certain developmet'rl;?, as the Pukekohe Borough CouiTrHL Proposed to alier its boundaries and~S|.movement was on fcot for the mefglPß '->f tbe Pukekohe West Road Board- into the county.

The clerk pointed out that the Special Order would be rendered void owing to lapse of time between its adoption ar.d confirmation if it was postpoutd. Cr Motion suggested that the best course to adopt was to confirm the Order and ti subsequently again make alterations in the boundaries if so desired. On the motion of Cr Motion, seconded by Cr Lyons, the Special Order was confirmed.