ADVANCE ASHBURTON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 151, 8 April 1930, Page 4

ADVANCE ASHBURTON

INCLUSION OF ALLENTON. STRONG MOVEMENT UNDER WAY PETITION TO BE CIRCULATED. Though the inclusion of Allenton as a part of the' Borough <v Ashburton lias been mooted, on several occasions, it has never been more strongly advocated than by the movement which is now on foot witli the object of linking this extensive suburb with the Borough. For some time past a committee consisting of Messrs H. G. Kemp, A. A. McDonald, A. P. Raven, W. J. Sparrow, H. L. Barker, E. C. Bathurst, D. A. Morgan, H. G. Ferrier and D. A. Lawson has been going carefully into the matter, and a definite proposal was placed before the Borough Council at a private meeting between the Council and the committee last evening. There is a strong feeling in Allenton in favour of the proposal, the committee having been given very helpful support by residents of the district. The area which it is proposed should he included' in the Borough is as follows :

From the West Belt up the river hank beside Alford Forest Road, up to and including the Woollen Mills, through James Street to Winter’s Road, clown Winter’s Road to Cavendish Street, along Cavendish Street to Middle Road, down Middle Road to a point half way to Belt Road, thence across to Mill'Creek, along this to Creek Road, along Creek Road to a point about eight chains from Walnut Avenue, along the the rear of the Walnut Avenue sections and the rear of the West Street sections to Mill Creek, joining the Rorough at ’ the railway line near the Flour Mili. In this area there is an estimated population of 1000. It is approximately 349 acres in extent, and contains 312 rateable properties, and 265 ratepayers. The capital value is £230,000. The principal benefits to be derived from inclusion in the Borough, as set out by the committee, are:— Attention to the open drain on Alford Forest Road. Kerbing, channelling and the formation of footpaths. Better road maintenance. Extension of the high pressure water system, with added fire protection throughout the district. An extension of the drainage system. Better street lighting facilities. Abatement of the dust nuisance on Alford Forest Road. The committee does not expect all these things to happen immediately hut is looking for the gradual improvement in the district.

The general rate under the Borough jurisdiction would, it is pointed out, be slightly higher than at present, but against this is set the sanitary fee of £1 in the Borough, compared with £1 10s in Allenton at present, in addition to which the Borough collects all rubbish which now has to be buried or disposed of by various and at times difficult methods.

Further, there will ‘be an increased advantage in fire protection as far as the present appliances and provision for water will allow. It is anticipated that there will he a steady construction of kerbing and channelling and a higher standard of road maintenance under Borough jurisdiction. Following the meeting with the committee last night, the Borough Council decided to hold a special meeting on Tuesday next to discuss the proposal to formulate the definite terms xon which the area would be taken into the Borough. Should a satisfactory agreement be reached the committee proposes to circulate a petition praying the GovernorGeneral to appoint a Commission to consider the advisability of admitting the area defined to the Borough. Only 25 per cent, of the ratepayers need sign the petition in order to have the Commission appointed; and should the Commission report favourably, the area, with any alterations made by the Commission, will be included in the Borough.