AMALGAMATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 368, 19 March 1902, Page 2

AMALGAMATION.

At the meeting of the Borough Council last night Cr Lysnar moved a motion to the effect that the Colonial Secretary should be written to urging that the petition for amalgamation of borough and suburbs should be dealt with in accordance with the Act without further delay. The committee, said Cr Lysnar, had not been able to obtain a reply, and the Counoil might be able to get it. Cr Mason seconded the motion.

Cr Jones objected to it as placing the Council in a false position. They had, he said, already passed a resolution refusing to take an active part in the matter, and had referred the petitions back to ths petitioners.

The Mayor said they had not taken an active part as a Council.

Cr Lysnar Baid that tbe County Council was raking in the rates, which was a matter of considerable importance to the Council. The committee having failed to get any reply, the Council might now be able to get one. In reply to Cr Jones, he said that the Council had already passed a resolution in favor of amalgamation. Cr Mason did not think the motion implied that the Council were taking an active part on either side. They were simply asking a straightforward question, seeking information

_Cr Whinray : On behalf of the pe tioners,

Cr Mason : Yes, in no way involving the Council.

Cr Harding considered there would be no harm in asking for the information. The Mayor: Would it not seem strange if we interfere now '?

Cr Lysnar: It would not be interference.

The Mayor: Surely it is for those who forwarded the petitions to get replies? Cr Lysnar: But the fact remains that they have not got any answer. Cr,Jones said he had no objection to getting information, but this was clearly takmg an active part in the matter, though they had refused to forward the petitions. After some further discussion, id which Councillors said they thought it would be no harm to seek the information, the motion was carried, Cr -Jone3 dissenting.