The Globe. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1013, 24 September 1877, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1877.

The inhabitants of Waltham have at last been successful in obtaining their desire as to becoming a municipality. It may, perhaps, be worth while for them to enquire whether the game is worth the candle; whether, in fact, they are going to gain any very great advantage by the proceeding. We are strongly in favor of local self-govern-ment being extended wherever possible, but it is really matter for consideration whether the multiplication of small municipalities is the best means of obtaining its advantages. Around Christchurch we have growing up suburbs of more or less importance, such as St. Albans, Philipstown, &c. If the example of Waltham be followed by these what will be the result? The suburban municipalities will either, from lack of funds, be unable to carry out the necessary improvements within their boundaries, or if they do so they will have to impose a very heavy rate upon the residents. It must be remembered that in every case where a Borough is established it means the re-duplication of the machinery of the City Council. Each one will have its Mayor, Town Clerk, Bate Collector, &c. To some extent at least the creation of those offices will entail expenditure, besides being an unnecessary multiplication of machinery. It seems therefore, to us, that it would be wise for these suburbs which really feel inclined to follow the example of Waltham to consider these matters carefully. The best course they could pursue for the present would be to join in with Christchurch a»d allow ot tho extension of the city

boundaries, so as to include them. In doing this there would be no finality; the suburbs so soon as the property within their respective districts became of a sufficient rateable value, and their increase in importance warranted the step, could have a severance and start independently for themselves. No one could object to this ; but it seems hardly a wise thing to rush into the responsibilities and expenses attendant on becoming a Borough in their present sparsely populated condition. It may be argued that by becoming a part of Christchurch the rates which will have to be paid will be heavier than those now levied by the Road Boards. This maybe quite true; but then, as a set-off, it must be remembered that for this additional cost they will receive very much greater advantages than they now enjoy. The work of paving and channelling the city proper is now all but completed, the contract for asphalting which has been taken, finishing most of our streets. The suburbs, therefore, should they come in with the city will be able to receive almost immediate attention in the matter of side channelling, &c., and will thus receive a fair return for their increased rating. Not only so, but the rateable value of city property Avill increase every year, and the suburbs will thus participate in the advantages arising from a largely increased revenue at the disposal of the Council. Of course we are taking for granted in the arguments we have used, that the city would be willing to have its boundaries extended, an assumption however which we have no means at present of verifying. As to the question of representation, should the city be divided into wards, which we sincerely hope will be the case, the suburbs will have the opportunity of returning their own representatives. This appears to us to be much the better plan. Our Waltham friends however think otherwise, and have made the experiment. ¥e hope it will prove a successful one, but it must be confessed they start under somewhat unfavourable auspices. Owing to some delay in the arrangements the rates have to a large extent been collected by the Road Board, in whose district the new municipality is situate. One of the speakers, at a recent meeting of the committee appointed to make arrangements to carry out the details in connection with the proclamation, &c., seemed to think that the Road Board would have to account to the Borough for rates, &c., in hand, at the time of the severance. Sub-section 2 of clause 82 of the Municipal Corporations Act seems to settle this point conclusively. It says that an agreement may be made between the County or Road Board of any district, and the Council of any Borough which may be severed therefrom, as to “ what part of the rates payable to such county or road district respectively at the date of such severance shall be deemed to be rates payable to such Borough.” The words “ at the date of such severance” clearly mean that a proportionate amount of rates payable on that date only are to be deemed as payable to the Borough. That is, if the Road Board have completed the collection before the severance, the Borough can claim nothing. We trust the residents in the suburbs will consider the arguments we have put before them, and take such steps as will result in advantage to themselves, combined with economy and efficiency.