SUMNER AND HEATHCOTE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20106, 9 December 1930, Page 4

SUMNER AND HEATHCOTE.

* CASK FOR AMALGAMATION. Asserting that Sumner would benefit greatly thereby, Mr A. J. Scott addressed a largo attendance of Sumner burgesses on Saturday evening on tho advantages to be derived from the fusion of the Sumner Borough and the Ucat!)cote County. In accordance with a notice of motion Mr Seott moved:—"That a subcommittee be set up to report upon the advantage to be gained by the amalgamation of the Sumner Borough a nd the Heathcote County." The case for amalgamation, Mr Scott said, could best be summarised by quoting from the Year Book. Sumner salaries amounted to 6.'20 per cent, of revenue, lloathcote's to 3.71 per cent, of revenue. " What we all want is to push c um ner ahead. Since Mount Pleasant ioined Heathcote in 1921 the number of houses had increased from 10 to 96. To those who are ratepayers, I sav that lower rates must have the effect of encouraging new residents, and more settlement in permits of further rite reductions. To those who are m business in Sumner I say that more population means greater prosperity for you. , , The motion was seconded by Mr Douglas Smith. Air J Longton said that he would Kl'e t-o se« tlie words "or the advisability of joining the City" added to Mr 'Scott's motion. In his opinion it

would be to Sumner's advantage, as in the case of other districts to join the City. Seconding tho amendment, Mr J. &. Barr said that the only authority with whom Sumner should amalgamate was tho City, and ho was of the opinion that the question of direct amalgamation with the Citv was the one to be considered. Mr Scott quoted figures showing that on a Sumner property of an unimproved value £2OO and a capital value £llOO, the rates amounted to £9 lis 4d, compared with £9 12s 9d in Heathcote, £l3 13s 7d in North Richmond, and £l3 3s 6d in Papa nui. Mr Cock, opposing Mr Longton's amendment, was emphatic in his desire to continue Sumner's separation from the City. On being put to tho meeting, the amendment was carried, and Mes frs J. Longton, A. J. Scott, G. Getson, i'. 11. Mathews, and It. N. C. Hill were appointed as a sub-committee.