H—2B

of the fact development in the borough was rapidly-extending towards Kamo. There were also indications that the Kamo Town Board realized that not only was its future bound up with that of Whangarei, but in time it would be incorporated in the borough. The question at issue in the minds of the Town Board, however, was whether that time had arrived. There was evidence to show that a considerable number of residents in Kamo were employed in Whangarei, and that there was little employment for Whangarei people at Kamo. The Housing Division of the Ministry of Works was undertaking extensive developmental works up to the northern boundary of the Whangarei Borough, and it appeared inevitable that there would be a " spill-over " into the Kamo Town District. A comparison of the rating position in the two districts revealed that there was little, if any, difference between them. It was evident that the future development of the sewerage system would, subject to agreement by the Whangarei Borough, link up with the latter authority's system. The main sewer was to be constructed by the borough in the near future, and this could be constructed with sufficient capacity to take sewage from the Kamo Town District. The Commission considered that there was no doubt that the Kamo Town District was economically and socially a part of Whangarei, and it was apparent that the district would receive considerable advantages if it were planned and developed in relation to Whangarei. There would be no loss of services or local community of interest which had developed in the town district, and there would be a distinct gain resulting from the availability of engineering and technical services administered by fully-qualified officers. The Commission accordingly decided that the town district should be absorbed in the Whangarei Borough, but recommended that no change be made at the present time in respect of the electric-power supply, which was under the control of the North Auckland Electric-power Board. VII. ABOLITIONS (1) Christchurch Drainage District (2) Christchurch Tramway District Reference has previously been made to these districts under the heading of " Christchurch Metropolitan Local Government " (pages 6-16). VIII. MISCELLANEOUS (1) Rabbit Districts In terms of the legislation passed in 1947 amending the provisions of the Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1928, the Rabbit Destruction Council was constituted. One of its functions is to make recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture for the constitution, alteration of boundaries, or union of rabbit districts. Investigations on these questions are undertaken by the Council, in conjunction with officers of the Department of Agriculture, and before action is taken in terms of section 29 of the 1947 amending Act the facts in each case are submitted to the Local Government Commission for its approval. A number of new rabbit districts have been constituted, and are referred to in the Appendix hereto. In only one instance, where the question of the extension of the boundaries of the Redwood Rabbit District was under consideration, has it been necessary for the Commission to hold a public inquiry before determining the question. (2) Manukau County : Howick Town District A petition addressed to His Excellency the Governor-General from two-thirds of the electors of the Howick Town District praying for the exclusion from the Howick Town District and inclusion in the Manukau County of areas comprising 323 acres out

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