AMALGAMATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 427, 28 May 1902, Page 2

AMALGAMATION.

REPLY FROM ACTING-PREMIER, At tho Borough Council mooting last night the following lotter was received from Sir Joseph Ward :—Dear Sir, —I am in receipt of your letter of the 14th inst., embodying copy of a resolution passed by your Council, asking for ft reply with roforenco to the request made by the Counei on March 19th laßt that tho petition of amalgamation of parts of Kaiti and Whfttaupoko with the Borough of Gisborno should bo dealt with, in terms of the Act, without delay. In reply, I may say that tho matter has been under consideration for some time, but as there appears to bo considerable objection to tho amalgama-

tion, it is difficult for tho Government to act. As far as can bo ascertained, thoro appears to be a very small majority of petitioners for tho amalgamation over the petitioners against it, and until thero is moro unanimity of opinion upon tho matter tho Government do not deem it advisablo to alter tho oxisting boundaries. Cr Harding: I do not know what majority they want, I’m sure. The Mayor said that tho Borough not being one of tho petitioning bodies was neutral, and had simply obtained tho information for the petitioners. Cr Lysnar said that tho reply did give tho facts. The Act required “-one-fourth of tho electors of tho proposed area, while the potition was signed by three-fourths, representing over half of tho value. Tho Amalgamation Committee was entirely in the dark as to a counter potftion, and, therefore, unable to refuto it. They heard at tho street corners that people not in tho district had signed tho petition. He contended that the Governor must eithor aocede to tho request for ainalgamation or set up a commission. Though the petition had been sent over eight months ago, they had been given no information; but now the Government took up a position that .was the reverse of tho facts. While tho Government treated the Committee with contempt they treated every ratepayer with contempt. Let the Government show them tho signatures to the petitions were bogus. Ho would not believe that the bulk of tho rcspectablo people who had signed ono petition had also signed tho other, though some weak individuals might have done so. When the petition first came before that Council in Kaiti there was a total number o_D ratepayers affected of 106 of which v 6fesigned. In Wbataupoko there were 139 affected and of that number 106 signed; to thoso a considerable number were added, but even then there was a substantial majority for in number and value. In order to assist the Amalgamation Committee, and have the matter eiftod, he proposed, “ This Council regrets that tho Government secs fit to shelve the amalgamation of parts of the Kaiti and Whataupoko with the Borough of Gisborne, without the Governor appointing a commission in terms of the Act to enquiro into the objections, and would respectfully request that tho Government Department should write to the Amalgamation Committee (which was appointed by the various local bodies) in the matter in reply to their unanswered correspondence, so that that committee can deal with tho matter.’’ He pointed out that so far the Chairman of the Amalgamation Committee had so far not had any reply, and motion was to the effect that a reply be Bent to them, so that they could deal with it in a dignified way, and not bo rode over roughshod.

Cr Harding seconded the motion, endorsing most of Cr Lysnar’s viewß. Tho Government should at least have sent back the petitions to give them all information. Tho Council should give the Committee all the assistance in their power in obtaining information. Ho was certain there was something at the bottom of it. He had seen both petitions shortly before they went to Wellington, and unless there had been forgery or something he could not understand how it could be said that there was only a small majority for amalgamation. Cr Kennedy considered it was a question for the Amalgamation Committee to ascertain the validity of the signatures. It would not do for the Council to hasten matters to take in unwilling bodies. They should refer the letter to tho Committee, and obtain their advice before doing anything hasty. The Mayor agreed with Cr Kennedy. They should refer the matter to the Amalgamation Committee before rushing off to Government again. They might all be ardent amalgamationists, but they should proceed in a busines3-like way. There would be nothing lost by a fortnight’s delay, and they should hesitate in tbe matter. It would be an act of

courtesy to send the Committee a copy of tbe letter.

Cr Wbinray agreed that the proper course would first bo to send the letter to tho Committee. Cr Jones took a like view, but said ho

thought they should deprecate some of the remarks passed that night. It was not right that people who signed the petition for should be described as respectable people, and those who had signed against as Tom, Jack, and Harry. He moved that the letter be referred to tbe Amalgamation Committee, which was jheir onlydignified course. Cr Hepburn favored the subject being adjourned until the next meeting, the letter in the meantime being referred to the committee.

Cr Lysnar agreed to that, but he said that the remarks by the Mayor were the more reason for a commission.

Cr Kennedy: It would be a terrible expense.

Cr Lysnar said that the expense would not be to the borough or those for amalgamation.

Cr Miller supported the amendment. There had, he said, been great want of courtesy to the committee by some one probably at the head of the Colonial Secretary's Department, and they should keep on trying to find out who wa3 the cause of that discourtesy.

Cr Jones’ amendment was agreed to,