MT. ROSKILL OF THE FUTURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 161, 28 September 1927, Page 8

MT. ROSKILL OF THE FUTURE

Sir,— As a ratepayer of Mount Roskill and a staunch advocate of anything tending to improvement and progress in this most promising district, I must decidedly agree that determined action should be taken to terminate the humbug, nonsense and undignified scenes enacted of late at the gatherings of the Road Board. But I maintain chat it is beyond all reason, in fact inexcusable impudence, to ask us to join with the city to have our public affairs and finances bandied there, when we have now an opportunity to amalgamate with the Borough of Mount Eden, and by such a combination to secure administration that must and will bring undoubted success, desirable advantages and economical operation in all public services in both areas. The proposal made for reformed and reorganised methods of local self-govern-ment compels our immediate and principal consideration just now and claims the most serious and exhaustive examination before amalgamation with the city is even hinted at. Let us not impetuously rush in where even celes-

tial-winged messengers fear to tread lest we, with others who may have already sealed their fate cn a wrong bargain, presently have also to send up the wail of opportunity lost. In my opinion a reasonable and feasible plan would be to request the chairman of the road board to call a public meeting of ratepayers and secure the views and opinions of gentlemen qualified to explain various proposals, particularly that of joining Mount Eden. I fear if we join the city Mount Roskill will be placed last on the list of about five different tramway extensions which will mean a period of some years before we secure any benefit in that direction. The move for amalgamation with the city is merely manoeuvring on the part of landowners to squash the unimproved values scheme, to their own advantage. Ii smaller owners allow this injustice to be perpetrated and vote to join the city, they are simply seeking the ‘ downfall” of their own little piece of i property in Mount Roskill. Deliberate 1 most carefully and be wise in time. ratepayer i