H—2B

Jt may be mentioned that the Taupo County is a geographic entity, and is a county in which the Counties Act does not at present operate. Until recent years there have been no substantial settlements in the district, and practically no services could be expected from a local authority, should one be constituted. There was evidence that some agricultural development was taking place in the area north of Lake Taupo, while large-scale development was being undertaken by the Lands and Survey Department adjacent to Mangakino. There are also other large areas in the vicinity which are suitable for development for farming purposes. We are of the opinion that when settlement takes place to any extent local-authority control should be instituted. In so far as the remainder of the portion of the area from Atiamuri westwards is concerned, the Matamata County Council will in future years have a strong claim to its inclusion within its boundaries. However, until such development takes place we do not consider there is justification for its inclusion in the county. As, however, there were definite indications that large-scale development in the marketing of forest products would take place, we. were of the opinion that an area comprising some 24,000 acres should be included in the Matamata County. lIIb. ALTERATION OF BOUNDARIES : NOT INVOLVING PUBLIC INQUIRIES (1) Waikouaiti County : Port Chalmers Borough A petition praying for the alteration of the boundaries of the Borough of Port Chalmers by the exclusion therefrom of a certain area of land and its inclusion in the County of Waikouaiti was referred to the Local Government Commission on the 2nd March, 1948. Neither the county nor the borough raised any objection to the proposed adjustment, and a provisional scheme providing for same was promulgated on the 21st July, 1948. No objections were received, and the final scheme was accordingly issued on the 31st August, 1948. (2) Waikouaiti County : Dunedin City The question of adjustment of boundaries in this instance was referred to the Commission by the Dunedin City Council. The area which it was desired to exclude from the city comprised some 2,300 acres in the upper part of the Leith water-shed. A considerable proportion of the proposed main outlet from Dunedin via the Leith Valley traverses the area in question, and investigations were made as to the effect of its exclusion and possible declaration as a main highway. This aspect was referred to the Main Highways Board, which decided that it would raise no objection to the proposal. A provisional scheme was issued on the 18th October, 1948, and this was followed by the final scheme on the 20th December. (3) Wairere : Waitomo Electric-power Districts The proposed adjustment of boundaries in this case was referred to the Commission by the State Hydro-electric Department, and involved the transfer of four outer areas from the Waitomo district to that of Wairere, and also the inclusion of two outer areas in the Wairere district. The Wairere Board obtained petitions under section 3 (3) of the Electric-power Boards Act, 1925, signed by not less than 25 per cent, of the ratepayers, and the necessary subsequent procedure to effect the proposed transfers and inclusions was followed. The Commission was advised that the proposed alterations would have the effect of making a more rational division of territory between the two districts, and would at the same time provide for the inclusion of two outer areas.

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