BOARD OR COUNCIL?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 April 1927, Page 9

BOARD OR COUNCIL?

CONTROL OF WATER SERVICE VARIOUS OPINIONS Whether the present water service will remain under the control of the Auckland City Council or whether it will pass under the administration of an Auckland Provincial Water Board will be one of the decisions of the Royal Commission at present sitting in Auckland. Evidence on the question of water control and administration was given before the commission this morning. DR. CHESSON’S OPINION Expressing an opinion on the proposed formation of the Auckland Provincial Water Board, Ur. Chesson medical officer of health, considered that the difficulty of representation as suggested by counsel for the Auckland City Council, could be easily overcome. He would suggest that Aiickland City be given nine representatives with two votes each, and the larger boroughs two representatives each. In the case of the smaller local bodies not large enough to warrant a representative they could be grouped into wards with one representative for each.

Under such a scheme he considered that there would be no question of the Auckland City Council not having sufficient representation. He also considered that with such a body representing a larger valuation figure it would be much easier for it to manage finance than it would be for the City Council. In regard to North Shore local bodies, thev would obtain representation through the North Shore V*'ater Board, which would be a represented body. A COMMUNITY SERVICE Following his evidence upon the Quality of the council’s water supply, Mr. A. J. Barker, chemist and analyst, stated that as a ratepayer he considered the City Council was the right and proper body to have the control of the community water service. Havln& obtained that water supply at considerable expense and trouble, he considered that Auckland should be allowed to manage its own affairs in that connection. If other outside bodies required water they should certainly suit their own convenience and obtain h as they desired. (Proceeding.)