THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3570, 5 June 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1880.

At the last meeting of the County Council Councillor Porter moved that a joint conference of members of the various local corporations be held, with a view of discussing the pros and cons of their amalgamation. There is, no doubt, room for great improvement in the government of this district. Indeed, the manner in which the various localities adjoining the township are scattered, some in County and some in Borough, it is evident that the worthies who fixed the boundaries of the municipality were in error when they did so. The existence of bo many authorities is the reason, and it is simply absurd that such a small district should be governed by County, Borough, and Harbour Board—and until lately by another expensive institution which had a finger in the management of district affairs—the defunct Water Supply Committee. With all these authorities, it is not surprising that incongruities in the geography of each body should exist. For example, the Waiotahi Siding, Block 27, end Parawai are assigned as part of the estate of the County Council, for some, unaccountable reason. When the originators of the Borough allotted the boundaries, they were not following the dictates of justice, or they would have included the before-mentioned places in it. The difference is what is generally known as a distinction without a difference and in many cases the boundary of the Borough is marked by a road, which, when crossed, leads into County property. The goldfields consist of all the thickly populated parts, and should therefore be under the control of one body, no matter whether under the name of the Borough or County. The district on which mining operatives are employed is all closely connected, and were the power wielded by one body instead of two, a greater amount of attention would be paid to the wants of that district. The outlying localities should either be under the County, or should be administered by Boad Boards, the latter system being by some people considered the best. It is very clear that during the present depression the place cannot afford to pay so much for the administration of affairs connected with it, and if the district were under one body the expenses in working the municipal machinery would not be so great. When " times " are good we can better afford to pay for so much "governing," but it is impossible that the district can stand the present strain on its exchequer. The country is rapidly becoming populated, and with the increase of settlement the country will have enough to engage its attention in making and keeping their roads and bridges in a good state of repair. Until this change takes place the public need not expect to have good roads in the Thames District, as here " too many cooks spoil the broth," and between so many governing stools the reputation of the place is in danger of .falling to the ground. We are therefore sorry to see that Councillor Porter's motion was not carried, as we believe .that the north and south wards of the Borough are anxious to join the County, and it is a pity the Conference was not agreed to.