TO THE EDITOR Of THE PRESS.
Sir, —Aβ a ratepayer I would like to say a few words in opposition ♦<» the Greater Chrietchnrch movement, and to warn the ratepayers of Sydenham that th?y have nothing to gain by amalgamation, but, on the contrary, everything to lose. Their kremnffk is aAmirnhk- fiittiated ftfr Belf>
waterworks without having to * consult several other borough*. There is only a narrow strip of land bet-ween them and the hills, -which I think they might annex to the borough, and the hills'aie admirably suited for their reservoir, from which they could also supply the immediate neighbourhood. '1 lie same arguments apply to the c "**" c lighting. Again, they have the gasworks within their borough,* they hay© their new Council Chambers and fire brigade station, and all the plant necessary to carry on the. work of the borough for many years to come, and whatever more the borough requires it will have to pay for, whether ft joins the city or not. The city certainly , will not pay for it; so what are the advantages to be gained by amalgamation?. Echo answers "What" On the other hand, the city has everything to gain. It is mortgaged up to the hiit, it has several "white elephants'' to dispose of—the linwooS tramway (which must die soon), the destructor, and a very large overdraft at the bank. The- Canterbury Hall might make a very good Council Chambers if Sydenham will help to buy it. There is aiso a large stock of wawrpipes, which the City Councillors would like to dispose of. Now, in the face of all this, the city telte us that they have nothing to gain by a Greater Christchurch. What fudge! I am sure it does not take- * very intelligent mind to .see that the city lias every- j thing to gain. I think the voting last Thursday was very significant. It has shown very clearly that they are very anxious to take us in, and taken in we wilt be if we let the city get hold of us. Note! Ona thousand two hundred and eight ratepayers last Thursday voted to give up their freedom and their all if we will only walk into their parlour and partake of all the good tilings they have in etore for us; and, strange to'say, there were only 79 who were opposed to such hospitality. It reminds me very much of the spider and the fly. Now, I do hope that the ratepayers will be alive to their interests, and roll up and vote againft this movement, and not be caught napping like St. Albans, who al- I lowed tho change to be forced upon them through making too sure tha.b it would not be carried. Note! Out of 1717 ratepayers, only 4.66 voted for the proposal For over a quarter of a century you have held the reins which have guided your model borough on to prosperity, until now it is second to none in the colony; and there is no valid reason now why you should hand over the lead which you have so successfully held to another authority, whose interests are bound to be centred in the city. —Youm, etc., ADVANCE SYDENHAM.
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Press, Volume LX, Issue 11495, 30 January 1903, Page 2
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536TO THE EDITOR Of THE PRESS. Press, Volume LX, Issue 11495, 30 January 1903, Page 2
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