MARINE BOROUGHS' CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 166, 14 July 1914, Page 6

MARINE BOROUGHS' CONFERENCE.

(T i tlio Editor.) Sir. — As -nine misconception ha* taken place on the matter, might we be permitted to put the writer of Saturday's cub-leader .straight regarding the decisions a-rrived at In- la-t week's con-ferem-p of the Devonport, Tiak'ipuna. Birkenhcad. and Northcote Borough j < 'ouncils V The suggested formation of the North Auckland .Municipal Association hoe nothing .to do with the amalgamation question, the meeting having received to eliminate all reference to auialgamation from the objects of the Association. Tlien. again, no particular alarm need Tip occasioned that the boroughs are for one moment going to "delegate their powers to a central administrative body." This Association will be worked on precisely similar lines to the Auckland Suburban Lioeai Bodies' Association, to which the Devonport, Birkenliead. and Xorthcote Councils are already affiliated, and no dire etfects have resulted *o far from that nseni'ber-i-Jiip. The feeling of the North Shore Councils, however, is that they have co many interests in enrnimon (which do not apply to the districts on .the city side of the harbour) that could be dealt with morp effectively l>y an association of the local .bodies ■on the northern chores of the HaTbour. In the matter of watching the joint interests of the ■ North Shore districts, good work can be accomplished by sjjrfi an Association, and it is not contemplated to interfere -with the internal markings of any of the Council-, which wH , ! continue to admirastßT their own affairs without any interference from the .Municipal Association, or delegation to that proposed body, unless at the express wish of any, or the whole. f»f the Councils, where the Association could handle the subject more advantageously or expedatiously than by the respective Councils. The following are the sort of subjects likely to T>e xelcgated to the proposed. Municipal Association (which will 'be composed of three members from each Council): —Resisting i tlie «igg«ited imposition on the ferry coniipLiniee by the Harbour Board, to the detriment of the residents of the North Hiore districts; suggestions for the adoption of .uniform hyJ'a-ws; investig.iting the unsatisfactory position Te<rarclinj* 'heavy with a vievr to getting matters on a bettor'basis in the inarine suburbs; seeking alterations to the law wherein - the districts would jointly benefit: (supporting every movement for the welfare of the districts concerned; and suggesting the best course to make the present Ij;vke Takapuna Board of Control more .workable -and ser\"iccal>le. With regard t° amalgamation, the only proposition moved was that, with a view to .ip»frta.ining if amalgamation was desira:ble. a committee, consisting of the 'respective Mayors and Town Clerke, furnish infonmation and data to the conference, and TEpoj-t upon >d)e advantages and disadvantages df the amalgamation of the four Iborouglia. ae -vraxds. Although strong opposition "was offered to this .proposal, it was eventually carried l>y way of an aimendment. with the addition fchat the report "was to oe ipresenteil in twelve montlis! TJiat is the distance '■ amalgaimation "' has gone so far: so that even opponents of 'the fietenc nepil not share your fears that the "di-striets concerned hare not yet $rrven sufficient consrderation to tihe diffisjuHties- in the way of any form of amaJpla.nEriion." .■Vdvocates of the scheme, ihowever. may have Kiomp ((ause for diraiopointment that the prelmuimi ry proposals "were not accorded a more knnaiy Teeeption.—We are, etc., WM. HAiNiDTjITS', iMayor of 'Devbtxport. W. BIjOMPEEI^D. Mayor of Taicapuna. WQI.' VvAiLLA€B. ■Mayor of Birkenihead. A.RTHL*R K. GKHESISDAiTJE, •l>!pai.tiy-Jl!a.yor of 'Norfclcate. ■Note.—By . '"conference" it is intended to inchMe 'the -\vJwJle rtf the nifinj l>ens of the four 'hoTough councils. (To the Efiltor.) Sir,—Kindly Tillon- mc to correct Die, Xorthcote figuriw jriven in " City's" letter re 'North a»tKi3ga.mation in I Saturday* issue; V.lien Mr. C.rinnvade, ! a number of tlie Ta.ka.puna Brarough I Council, rea.rt out at last Wednesday's .conference that the N'orthcote Borouffh i had an area of 2.420 acres, and a. populaI tion of 1.537, I promptly called attention Ito the error, and informed the. ineetins that the area, cf the Northeate 'Borough : was 1.200 ticre?. and the population about ; I.SOO. the figurfs Mr. Grinnvade j quoted are repeated in "City's " letter. T trust you 'will a.llmr the aottial figures to be give-n.— T am. etc.. J. T. l-TEA.RM.EV. litamber Xorthcotc Borough Council.