H—2B

development of motor transport, with its varied range and effect on social and economic life. The concentration of population in such localities has, from the point of view of convenience, necessitated some form of over-all control of the major requirements,, particularly the services and amenities in larger urban units of local government. Population has spread very rapidly beyond the existing boundaries of urban authorities, and has made incursions into certain rural areas which are being administered by rural local authorities. The powers vested in counties are unsuitable for heavy concentration of population, and where this spreading takes place adjacent to large urban units considerable difficulty is occasioned by urban authorities in maintaining existing services and at the same time providing for the needs of the population outside the district. This is particularly significant in regard to the provision of amenities and the equitable allocation of cost. While in earlier years the present form of control may have been satisfactory, both as regards territorial local authorities and those authorities established to administer transport and drainage, the standard and character of services required from a local authority has tended to become much higher during more recent years. This has resulted in the employment of officers with greater technical ability, the utilization of" modern equipment, and the combination of general activities conducted by local authorities. It thus enables authorities with the larger additional revenue to improve their overall efficiency and spread the cost more equitably over a wider area. This has steadily developed in Christchurch, which over the years has absorbed a number of adjacent authorities and portions of counties, involving in all some fifty-five adjustments. The city was originally constituted with an area of 1,062 acres, and to-day the area is 16,788 acres. The City Council provides an over-all water-supply system in its district, with the exception of New Brighton, together with amenities such as parks and reserves, totalling 7,778 acres, public conveniences, libraries, an aerodrome,, vehicle-testing station, public baths, art gallery, and recreational facilities, and also provides facilities for the general- benefit of the community, such as assistance tomunicipal bands, and a concert-hall. Considerable financial contributions are given by it to public organizations, and a certain development of the metropolitan area is, as far as possible, catered for by a Public Relations Department. The city also maintains an abattoir and cemeteries for the people in the area as a whole. Housing schemes have been undertaken, and pensioners' cottages, workers' dwellings, and transit-housing schemes have been established. It also administers city and suburban domains, including Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens. Administration of the Milk Board and the regional planning organization is also undertaken by its officers. A considerable saving to the ratepayers of this area has been made by the establishment of fire and accident insurance funds, with accumulated funds totalling some £96,000. The cost of providing the aforementioned amenities by the City Council has been estimated at 13s. sd. per head, whereas the equivalent cost in the adjacent local authorities, where extensive urbanization has taken place, has been Is. 7d. per head in the case of Riccarton Borough, Is. lOd. per head in the case of Waimairi County, Is. 9d. per head in the case of Heathcote County, 6d. per head in the case of Paparua County, and Is. 2d. per head in the case of Halswell County. These figures indicate the disparity which exists in various sections of the community in respect of the provision of" amenities, and the extent to which the , City Council is providing for neighbouring built-up areas. The population of Christchurch City has grown progressively since 1901 from 17,538 to the present-day figure of approximately 124,000. • That of the metropolitan area under consideration has been estimated at 156,100. The potential population of Christchurch has been investigated exhaustively, and we consider that by 1975 the population in the metropolitan area will, at its present rate of growth,, approximate 225,000 people.

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