DISCUSSION AT MOUNT ALBERT

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 166, 14 July 1914, Page 5

DISCUSSION AT MOUNT ALBERT

OOUXXIL tAXTD RATEPAYERS' ASSOCLVIiION. The Greater Auckland question, and in particular the action of tile Mount Albert Ratepayers' Association in approaching the Mayor of 'Auckland, was discussed informally Iby the Mount Albert Borough Council last night, at the close of its routine business. The fttayor (Mr (Mturdooh iMcLean) said that he did not think that the Ratepayers' Association sbould have taken the course it had, though, of course, its members were free to do as they pleased in the matter. The Borough Council, (however, were the ratepayers' real representatives, and the Association should have approached them betforc taking independent action. His own opinion was that the time for amalgamation had not I yet arrived. The City had recently taken in 'Parnell. Grey Lynn, and Arch Hill, and would, (probably be taking in Remuera and Eden Terrace before long. Ifc wa.s obvious that the City Council would have its bands full in attending to the large number of improvements required in its new territory, and .probably Atount Albert, if it joined in, would have to wait some time for needed works. 'It would therefore be advisable for the Borough Council to put all the roads of its district into proper repair before considering any amaTgaimation proposals. He was in doubt as to (whether Mount AlbeTt would get even on P representative on tie City Council. Jt had been suggested that a portion only olf the borough should join the city, but this he 'was ~me the Council wouid not agree to. Tn any case, amalgainaj tion ought to bp delayed until such time ! as. 'Mount Albert could join tho city I without handicap of any bind. Mr T. B. Clay stated that he wag in 1 favour of amalgamation, but not at any I price. He thought that the city should ! I be. allowed to make the first move, as j was the «s.sc with Grey ILynn. Messrs. T. 'Hodgson. C. .H. Page. F. J. 1 : H. ITsrrisnn. and C. TV. Harris, all ex- ■ ; pressed the opinion thai, amalgamation ' was not a matter for undue haste. It , was rather tbe duty of the Council to ' posh on with iht improve ment- scheme j

in order to get things into good chape •before handing the district ov*r to the city. (Mr F. E. Cory, a member of the Ratepayer* Association, who was present explained that tlie action of the Associa! lion was prompted wolelv by tie desire to a.-certaiu from air Parr'what terms the city was prepared to offer. They did not wish it to be inferred that there was any lack ~, confidence in the Mayor or ( ..unci, II he sub-committee set "up t 0 act with Mr Parr in securing information might not lie called upon to act for some (line, and perhaps in the meantime the Borough Council might see fit to take action. The Mayor remarked that it would have been more courteous .f, lr the \s-,.----ciation to have approached the Council hrst. As .Mayor lie would always he prepared to consider t'lie Association's recommendations, but the would not undertake to adopt them in every ease. = a a