The Press. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1905. THE "GREATER CHRISTCHURCH" VICTORY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11489, 23 January 1903, Page 4

The Press. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1905. THE "GREATER CHRISTCHURCH" VICTORY.

I A&bwtk >t w« aoUeip»t*d that th» proposal in favour of * united Chrjetchmva would Iμ carrkd, the mo«t aa&foin* adro* cator of the niacin harafy «ocp*eted <enh an m»jorky ti tliafc whici h« been aototDy recorded. la Ohiiatcfnurati itself the propoeal true carried by 1206 vote* to 72; in Lhmood bf 590 to 145; nad in St. AHmm by «6 to 238. The tet*l rot** OMt is' famxtr of UMlftntatfcm amount to 2234 *• «g»ii«t> 456 m oppoeiticm; in otW words it ha* been carried by a majority of nearly 5 to 1. Wβ m> gard thie as emineetly >a*irf>rtorj. it ■faomi that th«f» i* xm> "arriit* p«na«*" m the mtixte of the ratep»gr«a»~<iat tbey a» convinced amalgamati<m i* a good thing.

prospeota of success than H it bad been carried by a narrow majority. While we am oatnraUy much grattttee at the result of yesterday's rote, we an, of coume, sorry that the Tictory wa« not rendered complete by the inclusion of Sydenham. The Council of that, borough, who hare ehown tbemselvai unmistakeably opposed to the amalgamation movement, contriTed «o to delay mattenj that the poU could not be taken in Sydenham on the same day mm the other boroughs. The Coundlß of St. Albsns and Linwwd—*l«o by no means enthusiastic in the cause ot union—took upon themselves to frame the issue to be submitted to the ratepayer* yesterday in such a way a* to make tJba/amalgamation ootttingent upon Sydenham coming in. We cannot doubt for a moment, especially after yesterday's vote, that Sydenham will come in. The resident* of that progressive borough will never consent, at the instigation of their local, rulers, to remain in a condition of isolation, constructing its own waterworks with mains running alongside those of Greater Chrietchurch, and unable to share in any important echemee of municipal improvement which, may be decided upon by the city. Whatever happens, it may be taken tor ' granted that tha amalgamation of Unriet- | church, Linwood, and St. Albane is now I assured. Wβ believe that Sydenham will f also join without much heeitation, and so this'long-looked-for union win be at la«t complete. A word of recognition i"» due in conclusion to the men by whose efforts this result hae been mainly brought about. Tne names of Mr W. Keece, Mr A. E. U. Rhodes and the present Mayor, Mr H. P Wigram, will at once spring to the mind*, of the public in this connection. The subject of Greater Chrietchurch was, no doubt, mentioned from time to time before Mir Recce took office as Mayor, but it was generally spoken of as something to tak* place in iiho vague indefinite future. Mt Recce treated it as a question of practical politkf, and not only epoke in ita favour, but worked assiduously to bring at about, giving it all the advantage of his own personal popularity. The work thue begun was continued with equal earnestness and ability by Mα? A. E. G. Rhode. In directly, as well as directly, Mr Rhodes helped forward the movement very ooni aiderably. He put the .finances of the j city on * sound and improved basis ,tbuß removing a great obstacle to amalgamation. The tactful manner in which he presided over the conferences held in connection with the Publio Health Act, and I the good relations which he soon established between himself and the Mayors ot the surrounding boroughs, did much to create the feeling of mutual sympathy turn confidence whidh is at the root of yesterday's vote. The speech which he delivered on vacating the Mayoral chaii threw a great deal of light" on the financia , aspect of the question, and undoubtedly did a great deal to help forward the movement. The ground, so doubt, mi thus prepared, but to the present Mayor, Mr H. P. Wigram, is due the honour end' the credit of having so far brought the movement to a successful issue. It is impossible to epeak too highly of the patience, the tact, and the business acumen with which Mr Wigram has dealt with the question., It is one which might have been talked about and discussed for years to oome without getting, very much further in the way of achievement, had not Mr Wigram having fikt satisfied himself that the time was ripe, brought it to a practical issue. In this be showed both courage and judgment, and we heartily congratulate him on the result.