KARORI WILL JOIN THE CITY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 66, 11 December 1919, Page 12

KARORI WILL JOIN THE CITY

YESTERDAY'S POLL BIG VOTE FOR AMALGAMATION Amalgamation with the city has boon a burning question in Karori for some time past, and jjreat intorest was taken in the poll of ratepayers hold yesterday. The voting shows clearly that the ratepayers'of Karori were obviously anxious to have, tho borough link up with tho e.ily and become a section of Greater Wellington, for they indicated this by carrying the proposal by practically six lo one. Tho actual results of tho toll vcro as mulct':— For amalgamation 022 Against amalgamation ... 107 Majority 515 There was a big crowd present at '.ho Council Chambers last evening to hoar tho results, and there was much hearty cheering over the big majority. On tho results being announced by tho Town Clerk tho Mayor addressed those present. ]Io said that after March 31 next Karori would bo a part of tho city and tiny would be. citizens of .Welling-, ton. lie had already told them as nearly as he possibly could the advantages they would secure, and he had also told them of tho probable disadvantages. In any case ho thought thoy had done tho right tiling in voting for amalgamation for tho reason that they would bo immediately relieved of an annual loss of about £1100 on tho section of tho tram from Johnston Street to Karori i Park. Tho city would tako over that liability and that was one of the advantages. Other advantages would accrue gradually. Wlmt the residents of Karori should' do now was to form a Hatepayers' Association so as to watch civer tlio interests' of Karori. Tho poll was a very decisivo one, and those who had opposed amalgamation would probably bo surprised at tho advantages that would arise from it. He hoped thoy would all work together and do their bp.rt for tho district.

Councillor .T. Caugliley ea,id that although the Progressive Parly had done tlio organisation work they had been gieatly assisted l>y tlio people, _ The Progressives knew that tlio residents void in favour of amalgamation, and that all they wanted was n lead, Tho Progressives gave them that lead. On tlio wliolo the best of spirits prevailed and tho "pipe of peace" was smoked on the. previous evening. Thoso who had been making doleful predictions respecting amalgamation should write thom down and bring them up a year henco and then say how many had proved con rcct. Ho was sure Karori had dono the right thins in deciding to link up with Wellington, for ho was sure it would be of benefit to tlio district. Continuing, tlio speaker said that somo yeara ago there was an excellent debating society in the borough, and ho hoped to se'o such a society revived. He also suggested tho formation of a glee club ami contended that the district should be able to supply 'its own amusement. Ho hoped that next winter something would bo dono in the direction he had indicated, for he waa certain it would bo to the adviintago of tlio young people of the district. Councillor E. Harrison, tho leader of th 3 opponents of amalgamation, also spoke. He admitted that tho verdict was a decisive one, and hope# that tho results of amalgamation would ho. to tho advantage of the district. He had been sent to tlio council to oppose amalgamation until normal times returned and he had endeavoured to be true to his pledge. At the call of ex-Councillor W. Skcgg three cheers were given for Greater Wellington.