GREATER AUCKLAND

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 172, 21 July 1903, Page 2

GREATER AUCKLAND

NEWMARKET COUNCIL INQUIRY.

(At the meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council last evening, Mr E. Davis moved, according to notice, "That a Standing Committee be set up to go into the question of Greater Auckland, viz., the amalgamation of the borough of Newmarket with the City of Auckland and the surrounding local bodies. The committee to be empowered to correspond, and if necessary interview, other local bodies with a view of reporting to this Council from time to time the progress effected in the matter. The Standing Committee to be Messrs Bennett, Hamblin, Holmes, Edgerley and the mover.

Mr Davis said that the question was one which was before the public mind at present and public opinion had expressed that the scheme was one which should be gone into. Most of the members of the City Council had spoken in a favourable tone of the Greater Auckland scheme, and he fancied that the new City Council would go into the question right away. He believed, too, that there was a feeling in the Grey Lynn Council in favour of the scheme. .\ir Davis then spoke of the benefits that would accrue to Newmarket by joining Auckland. He said that if Newmarket was Included in the city the people would bp charged less for their water, and would receive part of the £11,000 a year profit from the city water supply. When a permanent scheme was entered into by the city it would be far better for the Newmarket Borough to be amalgamated witli the city. Then as to the drainage of the borough, the Newmarket Council would have to face the question, and if they joined the city they would nave a better chance of bringing a scheme about. Then there would be the advantage of a fully-equipped fire brigade, and a consequent fall in insurance rates, the chance of beautifying the borough, the advantage of having the services of city departments of skilled advice, and the use of the city machinery and apparatus. The electric lighting of the city and the use of electricity for power would have to be faced, and the 'Newmarket Council would derive benefit from any scheme ad-opted, and also from the city abattoirs and destructors. Then Newmarket would have the benefit of the valuable city endowments which were given for the benefit of the isthmus. The assets of the city were twice the value of the liabilities. The rates of the city were now 2/2J, and the rates of Newmarket 2/, so that amalgamation would not mean any material rise in the rates, comparatively speaking. Mr Davis concluded by emphasising the advantages of a community of interests wheh would be encouraged by such a scheme of amalgamation, and which he felt was now wanting.

Mr Bennett said that so far as his experience went everyone he met was against the proposal. He though the matter was premature, and he could not see what benefit Newmarket would derive from amalgamation. He could not agree with what Mr Davis said about the city endowments, as the city with all its rent could not keep its head above water at present. He considered that Newmarket should not bo the prime movers in such a large scheme.

Mr Leek seconded the motion, and said that if Newmarket wanted luxuries they must pay for them. He thought the present condition of the borough's streets was a standing disgrace to ratepayers. Though they would lose something by amalgamation, yet they would gain many advantages.

Mr Davis, in reply, said he eouitl not say why the scheme should be said to be premature. If such a scheme was premature why had Southern cities taken up similar achernes?

Mr Davis , motion was then carried.