GREATER WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 113, 6 February 1919, Page 6

GREATER WELLINGTON

ONSLOW COMES IN AMALGAMATION CARRIED BY LARGE MAJORITY The proposal that Onslow should be amalgamated with the city of Wellington was submitted to a poll of the ratepayers of the borough yesterday, and was carried ]>y a majority of 654 votes, 'A total of 738 electors, approximately 50 per cent, of the number on the roll went to the poll, G93 voting in favour of the proposition, and 39 against it. There were six informal votes—two at Khandallah and four at Ngaio. Polling took place at the Public Hall, Khandallah; Methodist Churchroom, Ngaio; Methodist Churchroom, Kaiwarra; and the Onslow Borough Office, Ballanco Street, city. Details of the voting are as follow.— For, Against. Central 245 9 Khandallah 178 U Ngaio 180 13 Kaiwarra 90 3 Total 693 39 "I am particularly pleased''with the result of the poll," said the Mayor of AYellington (Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G.) last night. "It shows that the peopli of Onslow have a very high appreciation of their civic responsibilities. No doubt, the decision that has been arrived at by such a splendid majority will he warranted as the development of Onslow takes place, and its growth is co-ordinat-ed with that, of the city. The 'pleasing feature to my mind is that the expenditure in'connection with essentials will become part of the complete work that coes to build up an up-to-date city. I am convinced that with the amalgamation a very considerable growth will take place, and as far as the city is concerned Onslow may be confident that honest and due regard will be given to its interests and development."

Mr.. J. M. Dale. Mayor of Onslow, speaking to a Dominion reporter after the poll, expressed pleasure that the proposal had been carried. He felt confident that the verdict of the ratepayers would result in the interests of the trict being advanced very materially. Now that Onslow had decided to come into the city it would mean that before very long the water and drainage system would be extended to Khandallah, Nraio, and Kaiwarra. and no doubt efforts would be made to carry the tramways to the latter suburb. Legislation would: be necessary to permit the trams to run along the Hntt Road, and the City Council would very likely exert its influence to have the existing law amended in that direction.

The amalgamation of Onslow with the city will probably take effect from April 1, 1919.