UNITED NORTH SHORE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 832, 28 November 1929, Page 7

UNITED NORTH SHORE

amalgamation scheme CONSIDERED

DATA TO BE SECURED The view that, however desirable the amalgamation of the four North Shore boroughs might be from an idealistic point of view, it was hardly feasible as a business proposition, was expressed generally at a conference of representatives of the bodies concerned held in the Chamber of Commerce. Swanson Street, last evening. Full Information regarding present commitments, proposed future expenditure and capacity for bearing it, roading, water reticulation. rating, drainage, lire fighting equipment, naT oral assets, value of municipal buildings, administration expenses, population and room for expansion, is to he prepared for presentation at the next meeting. In opening the discussion Mr. J. W WUliamson, Mayor of Takapuna. who presided, declared himself against the movement on the grounds that the lime is not vet ripe for amalgamation. Mr. E .Aldridge, Mayor of Devonpori' then laid before the meeting the list of questions concerning each borough, which was later adopted as a basis for collecting information. Holding that community of interest is the main necessity of a combined North Shore, Mr. J. Guiniven. of Takapuna, mentioned drainage, water supply and transport as common ground on which the four boroughs could meet. He considered amalgamation between Takapuna and Northcote. at least, a feasible proposal, as interests were very similar. GREATER NORTH SHORE That the ideal of a Greater North -ihore which would include Birkdale, Albany and the East Coast bays as far north as Brown’s Bay should always he kept in view, was the principle laid down by Mr. A. E. Greenslade, Mayor of Northcote. While this might not. he realised immediately, it would come eventually. The united voice of the North Shore would carry great weight. There were many aspects to he considered, however. For instance, Northcote would lose a large sum yearly in Main Highway subsidies through amalgamation. No reduction in administrative ex penses would result, according to Mr. T. Walsh, of Devonport. The proposed city would have an area larger than Auckland City proper, and would need at least four file fighting depots, hrahch offices for collecting rates, and separate road repairing plants. Unified • control ef the area had proved a failure in 1860 owing to difficulties of communication and through a scattered population, and would do so again. Mr. J. P. McPhail, Mayor of Birkenhead, agreed with this. His borough had little in common with Devonport, which was about 12 miles away by road. A major body to deal with the bigger problems such as drainage, transport, refuse disposal, fire lighting, provision of parks and cemeteries, and the improving of postal facilities was the solution offered by Mr. Williamson. This scheme is now being investigated in Sydney. The harbour bridge is the only possible point around which amalgamation cau centre. Mr. Aldridge, in urging this contention, said that radiation from a common centre was essential for the success of the scheme. Even so, grave natural barriers in the form of the big indentations of Shoal and Ngataringa Bays would have to be overcome. As a business proposition, he considered amalgamation would not pay Devonport. On the other hand, co-operation in drainage Ind transport would benefit all concerned. The meeting was adjourned pending the collection of full data relating to the boroughs concerned.