NORTHCOTE AND BIRKENHEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 37, 12 February 1920, Page 8

NORTHCOTE AND BIRKENHEAD.

AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL. DEFEATED AT NORTHCOTE POLL. The proposal to constitute the Boroughs of Xorthcote and Birkenhead one united borough, -which was carried at the recent poll taken in Birkenhead, met with an opposite fate at Oforthcote yesterday, being lost by the substantial majority of ISO votes. The poll, however, was a comparatively small ono, 455 voters going to the booths out of a total of 1191 on the roll. The voting resulted:—

Against—Council Chamber's 172, wharf 139—total For—Council Chambers 55, wharf 70 —total

Majority against amalgamation 186 There wero 10 informal votes. The Mayor of Northcote (Mr. A. E. Greenelade), addressing those aeeetnbled at the declaration of the poll, said the Council had determined that such a -step as amalgamation should not be entertained except as the result of a poll of the electors. That verdict had been given, and there were many other problems in t'lieir district, awaiting solution, which called for the co-operation of all sections of the residents if the borough was to make that measure of progress which it was desired by the Council it ehould. It would be necessary, however, to place further proposals T>eforc the ratepayers, if any advanced and progressive policy was to be entertained.