H—2B

mission's investigating officers undertook an extensive investigation into tbe Town .Board's position, in order that the Commission might be fully informed on the proposal. l)uring the course of the inquiry it was evident that the Town Board was under a disability in regard to the application .of the Drainage and Plumbing Regulations, and, in view of the increased number of buildings being erected, it was considered desirable that control should be exercised. However, as it was clear that 'the Onerahi Town Board had no power to adopt the regulations, the question was one for action by the Whangarei County Council. This aspect was the only reason advanced by the Town Board in support of its petition for independent status, and as immediately following the inquiry the Health Department, on the application of the Whangarei County Council, declared the district one in which the Drainage and Plumbing Regulations could be enforced, the Commission decided that there was no necessity for the declaration of Onerahi as an independent town district. VI. AMALGAMATIONS OR FUNCTIONS TRANSFERRED (1) Christchurch City—Riccarton Borough: Christchurch Drainage and Tramway Boards Reference has previously been made to these local authorities, under the heading of " Christchurch Metropolitan Local Government " (pages 6-16). (2) Nelson City : Tahunanui Town District An inquiry was held by the Commission at Nelson on the 3rd August, 1948, into the question of the inclusion of the Tahunanui Town District in the City of Nelson. There was evidence that in recent years there had from time to time been negotiations between the two local authorities with this object in view. A partial water-supply system had been provided by the City Council, and extensions were undertaken from the resultant profits made from the sale of water in the district. One matter of prime importance to the Town Board was the question of the installation of a sewerage system, which had been estimated to cost some £47,000. In view of the housing development, the nature of the ground, and the use of septic tanks, there would be created in the near future a serious health problem. Both local authorities agreed that there was essentially an economic and social community of interest between the two communities. While deciding to incorporate the town district in the city, the Commission recognized that there were certain difficulties to be overcome, and accordingly made the implementation of its decision subject to the following:— (a) A sewerage scheme was to be provided by the city as soon as possible : (b) Are valuation, of the whole area was to be made, owing to both valuations being some years old, and the ratepayers of the city had recently decided by poll to change the system of rating from annual to unimproved : (c) Legislation was to be promoted to consolidate existing special rates over the whole of the combined area, in view of the burden which would be placed on the ratepayers of the city in providing a drainage scheme for the town district. (3) Whangarei Borough : Kamo Town District An inquiry was held by the Commission at Whangarei on the 29th June, 1948, and the days following, into the question of the incorporation of the Town District of Kamo within the Borough of Whangarei. The Whangarei Borough Council did not advance the question, but was seeking certain extensions of its boundaries, and the •Commission considered that it was an opportune time to investigate the position in view

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