Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1930. ALLENTON AND BOROUGH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 152, 9 April 1930, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1930. ALLENTON AND BOROUGH.

. The movement for the inclusion of Allen ton -in the Borough should receive general support from residents on both sides of the present north-west boundary of the town, for amalgamation would be of benefit to each .district. From time .to time the ■‘Guardian” has urged that the growth of the suburban area warrants its incorporation in the Borough in order that the residents may be provided with modern amenities such as the County Council and Upper Ashburton lload Board, which a I present jointly control the district, do ,not include in their activities. The importance of the district may be shown by quoting figures prepared by the unofficial committee that is sponsoring the movement. The area which it is suggested shchild be incorporated in the Borough contains, within an area of 349 acres, 312 properties of a total capital value of £230,200, with an estimated population of a thousand. Among the matters that call for attention in view of the' everincreasing importance of Alienton may be mentioned the following : Iverbing, channelling and formation of footpaths; better maintenance of the roads; extension of the high pressure water supply and fire protection; extension of the drainage system; improved street lighting; abatement of the dust nuisance on the Alford Forest Bead; and last, but not least, improvement in regard to the Alford Forest Iload, concerning the condition of which serious complaints* have been made from time to time. The County Council and Bond Board cannot be ex-, pected to provide the full measure of these requirements, and to remedy the position the residents are faced with two courses: either to constitute a self-governing body or join the Borough of Ashburton. As regards the first course, it is sufficient to say that it would he opposed to the general tendency iu v these days of communal development to set up a separate administration contiguous to an existing one. Therefore if the district is to he developed and public facilities commensurate with its importance provided, amalgamation is the only course possible. These are the broad principles at issue, leaving details to be considered later. In (lie meantime, residents in general and ratepayers in particular may be urged to view the matter from every angle. It is a case where the fullest investigation of the facts is essential before action is taken, but the closest, most critical examination will, in the opinion of the Guardian,” strengthen the conviction that A lien ton would be a gainer bv an amalgamation that so *far from imposing any burden on the Borough would tend to its advantage. The proposal is by no means a new one, but has never emerged beyond the stage of academic discussion. The matter has now been taken up by a number of progressive men in a manner that promises to bring it within the sphere of practical politics.