BOROUGH MERGER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 106, 29 January 1935, Page 3

BOROUGH MERGER

Petone Councillors, Say “Not In Our Interests”

MATTER FOR SUCCESSORS

“By results the money we donate is well spent,” said the Mayor, Mr. A. Scholefield, when referring to the Wellington District Free Ambulance, at the meeting of the Petone Borough Council last night. The attitude of the Mayor and councillors of Petone on the question of amalgamation was defined at the meeting of the borough council last night, when the majority of the members expressed the opinion that the scheme was not in the interests of their borough. The main objection was the relative financial positions of Lower Hutt and Petone. After discussion it was decided to leave the question to the incoming council. At the same time it was stressed that it was not desirable to place the proposal before the electors at the next municipal elections. “In expressing your opinions, I would ask you not to. introduce the parochial feeling which has always stood out predominant when amalgamation of the two boroughs has been mentioned,” the Mayor, Mr. A. Scholefield, said. “Is it not more important to realise that we have a large population within«-the combined area who have the right to demand that the best possible communal services should be provided, and that the 4838 acres comprising the combined area should be developed so as to bring about the highest possible standard of communal development, efficiency, and economy? Gan this be given while the people and area are divided into two boroughs intersected with another local body—the Hutt River Board? “Can we not visualise what comprehensive services: and economy could be instituted through a united borough comprising the Petone and Lower Hutt boroughs:, Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board and Hutt River Board than is possible by the maintenance of these separaie local bodies? “It is not generally known that upon the amalgamation of Petone and Lower Hutt boroughs the gas board automatically ceases to exist and the undertaking.becomes merged within such amalgamation. I realise that it means Parliamentary enactment to bring the river board within a scheme of amalgamation, not so.with the other three local bodies mentioned whose electors have the necessary powers to determine by ballot vote. “The last occasion, when we discussed this question was December, 1932, when the positions of the engineer of Lower Hutt, the town clerk of Petone, also the secretary of the Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board were all vacant (temporary appointments only having been made in each instance), thus making staff changes less complicated for the reorganisation of the engineer’s and town clerk’s department under a united borough. Neither council took advantage of the position created, “In my opinion the most favourable opportunity from every point of view was in 1927 when the councillors of each borough met in conference, the outcome of which was the appointment of Mr. G, J. J. Feil to bring down a report for submission to 8 further conference in the near future. It is certainly not to the credit of the then Mayor and councillors of Lower Hutt that the information required by Mr. Feil to compile his report was refused by them, causing the report to be hung up for a period of over two years, for the simple reason that the Lower Hutt Borough Council desired to retain the sole control of the development scheme they had in hand, also to await the time when Lower Hutt’s population exceeded Petone’s. These are not wild statements but declarations made by members of that council. “No wonder it has been said by Petone’s residents that under a scheme of amalgamation Petone’s residents would be saddled with the expenditure of the development which has been and is taking place in Lower Hutt. It has also been said that under a scheme of amalgamation Lower Hutt, having a larger .population, would dominate the position, and that Petone would suffer by lack of. sufficient representation on the council established.

“As a rebuttal to these statements I would point out that clause 148 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1932, provides for a wards system which if carried out would give representation according to population. Also clauses 77, 78, 79 of the same Act make provision for the levying of rates in such a manner that the rates made aud levied in any one or more of such wards may vary from that in another or others. In brief, this means that Petone would have its just representation on the council, also it would have its separate rating area; and therefore would not be burdened with the expenditure of the development which has been and is taking place in Lower Hutt Borou.gh. “Providing the wards system and special rating areas were to be established under a scheme of amalgamation, then, and only then, would I be prepared to be a party to the amalgamation of Lower Hutt with Petone and the river board,” continued Mr. Scholefield, 1 who added that ultimately the necessity for special rating areas might disappear. ~ “Amalgamation on the lines suggested, he said, “would localise development expenditure and financial commitments for the time being, but it would also enable us to get together and tackle problems which the increased population of the lower part of the valley has produced and future development would create. “Immediate consideration could and should be given to the following:—The preparation and development of a townplanning scheme which should comprise specified areas for residential and industrial purposes; a comprehensive development of the beach area; reclamation and development of the river estuary; a new bridge to 1 deal wifh the increased traffic to and from the bays and Wainui-o-Mata, connecting the-esplanade with the proposed eastern area to be reclaimed at the river estuary. “As to the local pride and traditions of the respective boroughs, well, these would be preserved and handed down to posterity by the people forming the city, whatever its name may be. Petone and Lower Hutt locality would remain so for all time. Whatever our views as individuals or collectively as a council on amalgamation may be, the electors have the right by vote to determine whether it shall or shall not take place.” ~ Councillors’ Opinions. Ur. G. London said he thought all appreciated the advantages of amalgamation, but it was absolutely essential that it should be unconditional, and at the present time Petone would be the loser. Lower Hutt should lie called on to get its house a little better in order before Petone came into partnership. “Until they reach our standard we should remain Petone in the meantime.” he added. Cr. J. C. Burns said he thought it was a waste of time discussing the question when, as the Mayor stated, the matter rested with the electors. Cr. E. N. Campbell said it appeared that there would be a difference of opinion that evening. If the council was not in favour of amalgamation it would certainly influence electors. He thought it better to wait until the elections, so that each candidate would have a free hand to put bis views before the electors. That would bo preferable to passing a motion now. Cr. E. T. E. Hogg said the duty of the council was to draft a form of reference for submission to the electors, and see if Lower Hutt was agreeable to a similar form. The public should be educated as to what the issues were by the council to whom it looked. Complete amalgamation at this juncture was utterly against the interests of Petone. Voices: Hear. hear.

Cr. D. M. Dickson said that aceordng to the wards system Lower Hutt, seeing

it had a greater population, would have a larger representation. Cr. London: Let Lower Hutt work out their own salvation in the meantime. Cr. J. Cumming said the same question had been discussed 25 years ago. He had one decided objection: He was not going to be a party to amalgamation without the consent of the electors, who put the j councillors into office. He.pointed out that it appeared to him that somebody wanted something for nothing. A few weeks ago a poll was taken on the gas question. It, was one of the most despicable things he had ever seen iu his life. Poor old Petone carried the proposal, and Lower Hutt turned them down. Then Mr. Andrews turned round and said he wanted amalgamation. He moved the matter should be referred to the incoming council. Cr. Dicksou: “I think it is better to carry on as we are with freedom of action without the troubles that would arise through the wards system, which would create parochialism.” He was satisfied that if amalgamation could not be unconditional —and in view of the financial position of the two boroughs it could not be unconditional —then he did not think it had become so inevitable that Petone should vield to it now. Cr. 11. W. Toomath said that people would find that amalgamation, instead of bringing about a more economical working, would increase administration costs. For some days past a tally of the number of motor-cars passing through Silverstream has bdbu kept. It was reported by one of the men engaged in counting the vehicles that between 2p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday, uo fewer than 300 cars passed on the way to Upper Hutt. On Saturday, when the race meeting was on at Trentham, between JOOO and 1200 vehicles passed on the way to Wellington between 4.30 p.m, and 6 n.m