Draft:Amalgamations with Christchurch City

Christchurch became the first city in New Zealand by royal charter on 31 July 1856. In 1862, the Christchurch City Council was established as a town board, which became the Christchurch City Council in 1868. The original boundaries of Christchurch were based on the survey plan by Edward Jollie known as the Black Map: North Belt (now Bealey Avenue), East Belt (now Fitzgerald Avenue), South Belt (now Moorhouse Avenue), Deans Avenue, and the northern boundary of Little Hagley Park. This area is identical with what is now regarded as the Christchurch Central City.

Background
For the local authorities involved, Christchurch City Council was the driving force for amalgamations, whilst surrounding authorities were mostly resisting the city council's approaches. In the 1890s, the city council was aiming for amalgamation to achieve more control and extend the city's tram network. There was a desire to introduce a high-pressure water supply. It was felt that the locations of the abattoirs needed rationalising and a better system of inspection introduced. Dairies, which supply the city with milk, are all located outside of the Christchurch City boundary and do not get proper supervision. Sewage disposal also needed to become more effective and land drainage reviewed. The surrounding authorities feared loss of independence, freedom, and power. There was also fear that amalgamation would be financially disadvantageous as the city was regarded as frequently overspending its budgets. In 1890, the wider city was seen as over-governed, with 30 to 40 elected members doing the work that could be done by 12 to 15 of them after amalgamation. There were also savings to be had through collectively employing fewer council staff. It cost about NZ£3,165 to run the city, Sydenham, St Albans, and Linwood per annum, with annual cost after amalgamation estimated at NZ£2,550.

1890
Christchurch City Council organised a conference in early 1890 to discuss amalgamation. Representatives were present from the boroughs of Sydenham and St Albans, and the road boards of Avon, Heathcote, Spreydon and Riccarton, and the Linwood Town Board. Richmond, which formed a ward of the Avon Road Board, was subsequently the first area to join Christchurch City. The governor, the 4th Earl of Onslow, issued a proclamation on 5 June 1890 that Richmond Ward was to be incorporated into Christchurch City. The area was made up of parts of three original rural sections of Christchurch: all of sections number 33 and 41, and part of section 197. The mayor of Christchurch, Samuel Manning, pointed out later that month that the boundaries of the newly amalgamated area were not described correctly in the governor's proclamation. The error was rectified and the Richmond ward became part of Christchurch City on 1 August 1890. The Richmond ward was to be represented by three councillors, first elected at the 11 September 1890 local elections. Four candidates put their names forward, but one withdrew, and David Barns, David Cochrane, and George Swann were declared elected.

1962
By the early 1960s, Heathcote County was made up of three ridings: Cashmere, Hillsborough, and Heathcote Valley.

The Cannon Estate on St. Andrews Hill was subdivided in the 1961–62.