ARCH HILL DISTRICT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 295, 12 December 1891, Page 5

ARCH HILL DISTRICT.

PROPOSAL TO JOIN THE CITY.

A meeting of the ratepayers of the Arch Hill Districb was bold in bhe Newton West Schoolroom lasb evening, to take into consideration the advisability of joining Auckland City; also bhe formation of the Groat North Road. Thore wero about 100 pre sent, and the chair was occupied by Mr J ffi. B. IK-os

The chairman stated that there would possibly be a difticulby bebween the Board And tho Newton Borough in roference bo the Greab North Road. The object of the meeting was to discuss this subject, and also the desirability of joining the ciby. Ho moved, " Thab this meebing deems ib advisable to join Auckland ciby." There seemed to be an . intention bn tho parb of the Borough to force them into joining thab borough, and he thought ib would be more advantageous to join Auckland city. The city rate was 2s Oid, but of bhis ls was loan rabe, which Arch Hill would not be liable to pay. They would, therefore, he thought, have to pay ls OM rate were they to join the city. They would, he presumed, bo able to geb the Groat North Road formed, better lighting, and water for all their necessities. Mr C. Waddinghata seconded the motionMr R.owe bhoughb they should be able to manage bhings Very well as a Highway Board. He asked further what was tho difficulty anticipated with tho Newton Borough. . The Chairman said there was an evident intention on., the parb of the Newbon Borough Council to take entire control of the Greab North Road, compelling Arch Hill bo subscribe towards its maintenance •without a voice in its management. In answer to a question he said the Newton Borough Council had taken up certain drains in the Arch Hill Districb. Personally, he believed bhe Newton Borough had nob legally conbrol of tho Greab Norbh Road. ■ Mr Lee said the facts were bnab ten weeks ago the Newbon Borough Council ■wrote with reference to a nuisance caused by a drain from Mackelvie-streeb, which discharged ibself into bhe Newton Borough. The Chairman of the Arch Hillßoardsentno 3-eply to that letter, and hence the trouble. .He suggested a conference with bhe Newton Borough Council on the subject. Mr Milbankdisagreed with this proposal. Newton Borough ho believed was determined to annex Arch Hill, which wanted little, while Newton Borough wanted a srreab deal. ' The Chairman said Arch Hill had sufnoienb bo pay all its liabilities, and leave a small credib balance.

Mr Radclifle, while open to conviction on tho subjecb of joining the city, pointed out that whatever improvements wero obtained would be through special loan, for which bho Arch Hill District would have to pay. They had now a good Board, and were out of debt, and he thought they ■would do very well to go on as ab present for a while longer. Mr Somers was in favour of joining the city to get a good water supply, to obtain drainage and road construction. iSewton Lad borrowed all they could, and could do ■nothing for them. Mr Jenkins said it was only just to 3-ernark thab tho Newton Borough had nob stolen the pipes taken up. They wero in a prominent place in bhe Arch Hill districb. Mr Thompson urged that a Road Board •was tho besb and most economical of all systems of local gpverninent. If they joined the city ho believed they would be tacked on to tha Karangahape Ward, without representation. Mr Leo proposed as an amendment, "«Thab a Committee be formed to obtain information, and report four we6ks hence."

Mr Rowo seconded tho amendment, •which was carried by 22 to 10, the motion feeing lost, and it was further agreed thab the members of the Road Board bo a Committee to obtain information.