AMALGAMATION OF NORTH SHORE BOROUGHS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 107, 27 July 1927, Page 9

AMALGAMATION OF NORTH SHORE BOROUGHS

COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BIG MEETING OF RESIDENTS question of the amalgamation of the North Shore boroughs, under the control of one central body, instead of four separate councils as at present, was discussed by a largely attended meeting of North Shore residents held last evening in the Chamber ot GommerceMr. J. Wallace, president of the iakapuna Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, occupied the chair. After many opinions had been expressed, it was decided to form a committee repr eb ; e o ntat ! ve of the four councils, and of 13 other North Shore bodies, to consider the whole question. r * Greenslade, Mayor of Northcote said he was an ardent advocate ot the. amalgamation proposal. A resultant economy in administration w’ould tend to create higher efficiency, as one body could work far more efficiently than three or four. -,.i? e h ? ld that reading and transport difficulties could be eliminated by cooperated effort by all the North Shore boroughs. Uniformity of by-laws would also receive widespread support. TIME NOT OPPORTUNE Mr. J. W. Williamson, Mayor of 1 akapuna, said that the question of amalgamation should be deferred lor three or four years. The several borough councils and other bodies should go thoroughly into the matter, and more definite proposals should be submitted before action was taken. OPPOSITION TO PROPOSAL

In expressing emphatic disapproval ot the proposal, Mr- E. Aldridge, Mayor of Devonport, said any movement in the direction suggested would not be to the benefit of his borough. There were special factors operating on that side of the Waitemata which did not apply in the city. In the case of city districts there was unanimity of interest, geographical proximity, and radiation from a common business centre, which had tended to make the Greater Auckland scheme a success as far as it had been practised, but these points did not apply to North - Shore.. What he would be inclined to favour was an amalgamation of North Shore lociil body interests, with a North Shore City Council, to deal with major matters.

Mr. O. Moller, representing the Bayswater-Belmont Progressive Association, said more information was required before action could be taken. “NO COMMUNITY OF INTEREST” Representing the Birkenhead Ratepayers’ Association, Mr. E. C. Walton said it was essential to obtain the views of ratepayers in general. There was no community of interest between boroughs situated at the extreme ends of the area in question. Mr. S. E. Kennings said he felt sure the Waitemata Chamber of Commerce would support the proposal to amalgamate. The movement would be quite useless unless an equitable arrangement to suit all parties could be made. ECONOMIC STANDPOINT No statement had been made to show that amalgamation would not prove of general benefit, said Mr. J. W. Hayden, chairman of the Waitemata Power Board, and it was estimated that about £IO,OOO a year could be saved in administrative charges if the boroughs combined. While the boroughs were disunited the solution of the harbour bridge problem would not be found. No good would result from delaying amalgamation, and a representative committee should be set up to investigate the whole question. After further discussion it was decided to request all bodies interested to appoint one representative on an investigation committee. In addition to the four borough councils, the following bodies will be approached: Beach Haven Progressive and Social League, Birkenhead Business Men’s Association. Takapuna Ratepayers’ Association, Bayswater-Belmont Progressive Association, Victoria Park and North Devonport Ratepayers’ Association. Devonport Traders’ Association, Northcote Ratepayers’ Association, Melrose Ratepayers’ Association, Milford Ratepayers’ Association, Stanley Bay Improvement Society, Birkdale Ratepayers’ Association, and Waitemata Chamber of Commerce.