AMALGAMATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 140, 12 June 1912, Page 5

AMALGAMATION.

CITT AND GBET LYNN. THE TEEMS ARRANGED. SPECIAL LEGISLATION REQUIRED. ■ A meeting was held last evening at the Auckland City Council Chambers at which the movement in favour of the amalgamation of Grey Lynn Borough with Auckland City advanced a stage further, and at which the way was cleared for legislative action and lor an appeal to the ratepayers. The Mayor of Grey Lynn (Mr. G. Baildon) and other representatives of that borough strongly represented that under the peculiar circumstances which obtained in Grey Lynn, it would be i necessary for the borough to for some considerable time retain the present system of rating, which is on the unimproved value. It was pointed out that the existing law provides that in the event <>( the amalgamation of two boroughs tlic system of rating in the largest borough shall prevail. Ihe Mayor of Auckland (Mr. C. J. Parr) said' he did not think that the City Council would have any objection to .the Grey Lynn people retaining their own system of rating. This could be done by keeping Grey Lynn a separate ward, and giving ii *ppani.te ippreictitsuiun on ibe City Council. The question was fully diacil<-<eil, and it was it-it Unit the lir-t step necessary would be an amendment of ihe. law to enable Grey Lynn u> retain a separate system oi rating. The Mayors of Auckland and Grey Lynn were accordingly authorised to mei't the solicitors of tin; respective bodies, and iiintnn-i that the necessary bill be prepared to provide fur the proposed amendment of tlif law. i'lie .Mayors were also gi\eu power io s'nd the measure forward to L'urliaraeht and to bring the matter beforo the municipal conference in Wellington, and get all possible assistance from that body. Mr. DaJldon expressed the opinion that if Urey Lynn was allowed to retain its own system of rating, there was an excellent prospect of the ratepayers approving the amalgamation. AYith ihi* opinion the other Grey Lynn delegates concurred. Mr. Parr asked that a statement of. assets and liabilities of Grey Lynn borough should be submitted to his Council, for it was necessary that they shnuTTi have this information before them when the terms of amalga.mnl.ioii came up for the Council's approval, -.ince the city would become responsible for Grey Lynn's liabilities once amalgamation was effecto,!. He further pointed out that it would he po.-siblc for tlie. same rate to be rei.iiueil for Grey Lynn as at present, and that the whole of it could he spent in the ward. As a separate ward, it would be possible to have separate finances from the city's accounts, and this, of course, would not preclude the city from assisting Grey Lynn's requirements from time to time. It was agreed that so soon as the necessary legislation can be put through, a poll will be taken in Grey Lynn, and if amalgamation is approved, it can be given effect to within a month.