A GREATER NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 107, 4 May 1903, Page 4

A GREATER NEW PLYMOUTH.

TO THX EDITOR. Sib,-The movement for the extension of municipalities in connection with the four chief centres inthe colony ■ one of the most important which his transpired during recent year*. What Ims been accomplished in Wellington and Ohristchurch is a much greater aaeemity in Auckland and Djnedin. The advantages of bringing all the population in tbe-:e centres under one eonttoUiiig loeal body are so transparent, that it is somewhat surprisiog that any objection should be raised. This movement has a suggestive significance to many of the smaller towns in different parts of the colony, the population of which is increasing very rapidly. Three young ci-.ies should receive some benefit from the experience of the older and larger centres. In many of these, a considerable portion of the population live outside tbe borough, and yet to -all intents, and purposes they belong to the community. Our town of New Plymouth is a striking instance of this fact 1 . Whilst the borough contains a pipphtioa of over 4000, and in official re" urns it is given as such, yet in the immediate neighbourhood there are nearly as miny more. This is very misleading to the se whose information is ob'ained only from borough returns. It seems to ma that the time has come when ate pa should be taken to create a greater Nesv Plymouth, and the present juncture is most favourable for buch a new departure. We have an= w Mayor, and several ne<v couccillo-s, an i 10 work thc-aa gentl man rju'd uriertaka during t\jpir term of office would afford such permanent advantage to the community as that ur bringing all residents within a reasonable radius of the Oouncil Buildings, uadar one governing local body. Drainage, lighting, water, street, and footpiths, and other municipal work could tbeu be nndertikeo on a plan and scale that would command the support of the soundest judgment and most economical management. —I am, e>c., Residest.