AMALGAMATION COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 221, 25 September 1901, Page 3

AMALGAMATION COMMITTEE.

! A meeting of the Amalgamation Committee was held last night, there being present: Messrs G. Matthewson, W. D. Lysnar, F. Harris, A. F. Bridges, and J. Townley. On the motion of Mr Matthewson, seconded by Mr Harris, the Mayor was voted to the chair. The Mayor said that so far the matter had not been taken up by the Council, the suburbs being allowed free action. It was a great strain on the borough’s limited revenue to do the work of the borough ; he could not say whether a large district I would be cheaper to work, but certainly | such a union should lead to more econo- | mical working, He was quite prepared to assist to make Gisborne of more importance and a greater power for good work. The borough had so far worked amicably with the suburban bodies, and should continue to do so. He would take the chair, but would leave it to those who had worked so zealously for the project to say what should now be done. Mr Lysnar explained the force of the signatures, saying that the petitions I were very satisfactory as regards values and numbers. It would be for the committee to decide whether the petitions should be sent to the Council or direct to the Government. Personally, he had to apologise for not having more actively moved in the matter, as he had been very busy lately. In the course of his remarks Mr Lysnar said that the actual number of signatures received on the Kaiti was 68, from which five had to be deducted, making the | number 63, out of a total of 105 ; the net number representing a value of £30,926, out of a total of £48,425. These figures were checked by the clerk, Mr McKay, and duly certified to. On the Wbatau- j poko 108 signatures had been obtained, j from which four had to be deducted, j | leaving the number as 104, out of a total | of 199, representing .£32,075, out of a total I of £09,241. Mr Matthewson said that the credit for the progress that had been made was in a great measure due to Mr Lysnar. The pleasing feature about the movement was that all were so earnest in regard to it, and they would make Gisborne a great centre. Though the diilcrent bodies had agreed well, there was always liable to be selfishness shown, and they should work far better together. He had thought over | the matter a great deal, and from any aspect one could look at it the arguments must be in favor of amalgamation. Before J forwarding the petitions to Government, they should as a matter of courtesy forward them to the Borough Council for consideration, that body having a good deal of interest in the matter. The Council could then forward them to the Government or refer them back to the committee. Mr Lysnar: Better let the Council send them on to the Government. Mr Matthewson then proposed that the petitions he handed to the Council, with a j request that they bo forwarded to the > Government. Mr Bridges seconded the motion, and thought that as the Council had such a large interest in the matter the petitions should first he sent to |them, especially as they had favored the conference. If there were any objections raised in the Council they could he discussed before the petition went forth, so that they might have it presented to the Government without objection. Though some objections had been raised in the press, the petitions had been very successful. lie would like to add that the success of the petitions was largely due to the indomitable energy of Mr Lysnar. Mr Lysnar said he would bo sorry to have it go forth that so much credit was due to him, as he had received great assistance, and of those outside the com- j mittce lie would like specially to mention Messrs T. Sweet and D. M. Orr. He pointed out that notwithstanding there had been somo factious opposition, more than double the proportion required by the Act had signed tho petition to the effect that the step was a wise and prudent one. Tho Council, ho might state, had already been informed of tho terms of the proposed basis of amalgamation. The Chairman asked if it was proposed to have wards; that was a question that the Council might consider, also whether the boundaries were satisfactory. As Mr Lysnar had mentioned, it would be fair to inform the County Council of tho steps being taken. When the borough was sot up the details as to finances, boundaries, etc., wore mutually agreed upon by the County Council.

Hr Lysnar said lie did not anticipate any difficulty with tho County Council. 'l’lie Chairman said that it would be wise for tho committee to approach tho County Council, and try and got all details settled on before hand. Hr Lysnar said that tho area was so small and paths, etc., were out of tho province of the County Council, that that body would probably be glad to have it cut out. Hr Hatthcwson said tho only objection that might arise was in regard to tho portion of Kniti going to tho beach, but it was desirable to havo that in so that those tenements would come under the control of the extended Council. Hr Lysnar, in regard to wards, said that provision had been made to keep funds fairly distinct, but avoiding wards. Tho Chairman : I have always been against wards myself. Hr Lysnar said that all around wards were being dono away with. What was proposed was a distinction by which in the event of any quostion arising tho linger could at once be pointed at the amount allocated to each placo. Thus they gained by the expcrienca of other places. If, however, wards were desired, there was nothing to prevent that being done later on. Hr Lysnar moved that a copy of tho petitions be forwarded to the County Council, and that body be informed that the petitions would be forwarded to the Government. Hr Bridges : Would it not be better to wait on the Council ? The Chairman agreed with that view. Hr Lysnar : Send them a copy of the petitions', and let a deputation wait on them also. Hr Bridgos said the letter of the petitions would be of no interest to the County Council; tho only issue before that body would be, had they any claim against the area to be taken in ? and if so, how much ? Hr Lysnar said they might send a plan of the areas proposed to be taken in, and ifj necessary a conference could later on be held. Hr Lysnar's suggestion was agreed to. Mr Hatthcwson: Should the existing committee still retain office ? The Chairman said they should certainly do so, as there were many matters that would yet require attention. He congratulated those concerned on the progress that had so far been made. They must not, he added, expect too much from the Borough Council. They had only limited means to work on, but they would no doubt use the funds to the best advantage, as they had hitherto done. Everything would depend on the progress that was made. The borough had at one stage been at a standstill, people going to the over-river suburbs to reside, and few new buildings being erected in the borough, while building was going on in the suburbs. Hr Lysnar: We want to give you the benefit of that.

The Chairman said the people had taken the benefit themselves; they had left the borough to better themselves. Mr Harris: But, like the prodigal son, they are coming back again. (Laughter.) The Chairman said that they had left the borough in very great difficulties, such as high harbor rates ; he hoped that they would not now be disappointed. A good many improvements were needed in the suburbs to make the roads in proper order. Mr Matthewson said that the roads on the Haiti were now in fair order, aud they would continue on the same lines. The Chairmau said that there was a good deal yet to do to put the roads in proper repair; they were only partially formed now, and a large sum of money was required was such purposes. Mr Harris : There will be an increase in the revenue. The Chairman : Yes, that will be a help. The roads in the suburbs, he added, were a bit lumpy. He wished them a successful termination of tho movement for amalgamation,