READJUSTMENT OF BOUNDARIES

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 513, 12 March 1920, Page 3

READJUSTMENT OF BOUNDARIES

IN RAGLAN COUNTY. The matter of readjusting the various riding boundaries was introduced by Cr. S. H. Crawford at the ■Jlaglan County Council meeting on Wednesday, who said that the merging of several of the ridings so as to make large ones he held could be effected, and be a beneficial move. The chairman (Cr. Campbell Johnstone) differed from Cr. Crawford, and said he did not see that any benefit would be derived from merging or alteration of boundaries, as each riding expended its own rates. Cr. Crawford said at a meeting at Raglan a number of councillors had favoured the amalgamation of five small ridings into two ridings. He favoured the county being divided into seven ridings. His object was to get the capital value of the ridings as uniform as possible. Cr. Walter Seavill contended that Pirongia and Karamu Ridings should be amalgamated, and moved to this effect*. Cr. Crawford seconded . The chairman said if the motion was carried it would affect his riding. He did not see that any benefit would be derived in the direction of the motion.

Cr. Lowry thought thot something should be done to readjust the ridings. It was hardly fair that there should be four ridings in the county, having four representatives for an area the size of Waingaro, which had only one representative. Cr. Geo. Morrison did not wish l* Pukekawa and Onewhero to go back to one area, as had previously heeti the case. There was no community of interest, as each had its main road separate and distinct. The motion was then put and defeated by one vote. Crs. Seavill, Morrison, Crawford and Lowry voted for it, and Crs. Cobourn, Ottway, Swann, Rawlinson and the chairman against. Cr. Lowry then sought to bring forward a motion to include part of Whangape Riding in Pukekawa, and vice versa, but the chairman ruled that the subject having closed the motion was out of order. The council then adjourned for tea, and upon resuming Cr. Lowry said he would like a portion of the Whangape Riding included in the Pukemiro Riding, and a portion of Pukemiro Riding into the Whangape Riding. This was agreed to. Cr. Morrison said he and Cr. Lowry had almost agreed on an alteration in the south-eastern boundary of the Pukekawa Riding. The majority of the ratepayers were in favour of the alteration. The Opuaten Stream would then be the natural , boundary. A slight alteration in the northern end boundary was also °n- ® Cr. Crawford contended that Port Waikato and Onewhero Ridings should be knocked into one, and have one representative, and he moved that Port Waikato be merged into Onewhero Riding. Cr. Swann sec onded. The motion was declared lost, on the voices.