TO JOIN OR NOT?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 35, 4 May 1927, Page 13

TO JOIN OR NOT?

TAMAKI AND AUCKLAND QUESTION OF AMALGAMATION Ratepayers of the Tamaki district disotissed the question of amalgamation with the jCity of Auckland at the annual meeting last evening. Although no motion was taken on the subject, the feeling of the meeting appeared to be that amalgamation would make for the greater progress of the district. Mr. M. G. McArthur, chairman of the Tamaki Road Board, said that the ratepayers would have to decide on the question very shortly. The question of rates was most important, and he had communicated with the city valuer, Mr. P. F. Notley, for a comparison of the rates. Mr. McArthur explained that a farm property which had been selected for comparison had a capital vahie of £5,220 and the present Tamaki consolidated rate was £43 18s 3d. Mr. Notley’s annual valuation was £261, and the rate Struck would be £44 11s 9d. However, the owner of the property would get water at lOd a 1,000 gallons, instead’ of the Road Board charge of 2s. Under the City Council valuation a dwelling whose district capital valuation was £1,560 would be £7B and the rates £l7 5s 2d instead of the Tamaki rate of £22 18s 9d.

“I prefer to look at the question from the point of view of Greater Auckland,” said Mr. McArthur. “We want to provide for years ahead. Co-opera-tion is what is needed.” Ratepayers expressed the opinion that joining up with the city would be the wisest step, though some favoured the system of unimproved values being put into operation.