THE SYDENBAM POLL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11498, 3 February 1903, Page 4

THE SYDENBAM POLL.

To-morrow the n>unici])ai! eleotors of Sydenham will have to settle the momentous I question whether they will embrace the oppotttunity now offered to them of joining Greater Chrietchurcli,.or whether they wish their town to continue as a comparatively insignificant borough by the aide of it«j large and important neighbour. There will be a Greater Chrnttdhurch row whether Sydenham joins or not. In the place of a city of 17,500 there will iri&hin the next few montihs be a Chxistohttroh numbering at leaab torn* 31,000 inhabitant*, it would, of course, le better tor all concerned if the city were rounded off by the addition of Sydenham, with its 11,500 inKabittnts, tinu making a Greater Cbxristehureh <d about 42,000 or 43,000 inhabitants. Wβ certainly think, however, that if fiydteriJam is left, out the loss will be tiaO, of Sydenbim rather than that of its large and jwwerfol neighbour. "Greater ChiMehurcb" would still be Jarge enough to carry out 'important works, but the epectacle of Sydenham etraggliag along endeavouring to provide itself with a water znpply end other element c of municipal coatfort and weU-being urould be calculated to make the judicious griere, Wβ hare little doubt, ikoWßTer, ji»iging from the tone of the meetings which have already been held that the feeling of tie large majority of the electors is in favour of amalgatnatioQ. It ia recogmsod, as a onrreepondent points out in another column, <tihat combination is essential to progw in municipal matters I v ir«U om iv oomxatrotaii affaire. A desire ■lor uks do* not «t «U ftaplytlwt tb* wtfe-

payers are necessarily dissatisfied with the way in which the Affairs of the Borough of Sydenham have been conducted in the pest. AOtfoaugh mistakes have been made there as well as in ot2usr municipalities, we believe that on the whole ite affaire have been very faiiCy administered. It is obvious., however, that a. toierabry large city can on- j dertake works which would be impossible in the case of a- small borough, and that ifc ought to be able to carry oat ite undertakings in a more efficient end economical fiishiou. WhKe we think, therefore, that there is every prospect of amalgamation being carried in Sydenham on Wednesday, we hope that those who are in favour of the movement will not take this for granted, I because if any considerable portion of them keep away under this impression, their cause wiE certainly be lost. But we hope with the Mayor of Christcfaurch that, whichever way the issue may go, there will be a very large attendance at the polls, so that it cannot afterwards be said that the matter was decided by a snaWh vote. It is one of those supreme occasions on which every elector who feela the least interest in the future w*lfi.re of his district should moke a point of recording his opinion.