AMALGAMATION POLLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 56, 7 March 1932, Page 8

AMALGAMATION POLLS.

DECISION ON WEDNESDAY. VTEWS OF AUCKLAND'S MAYOR "ECONOMY IN ADMINISTRATION." Referring to the polls to be taken on Wednesday on the proposals for the amalgamation of Mount Eden and Mount Albert boroughs with'the city, the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, said this morning that if the residents rejected the proposals the city would be restricted in respect to its development

uy artificial boundaries, and by lack of that co-operation of effort and coordination of services that were essential in planning for economical administration. "There are mutual advantages, both to .'he two boroughs concerned and the city, in amalgamation,"

said Mr. Plutchison, "and if the present opportunity is missed the chance may not come again for many years." Geographical Aspect. The Mayor said that from a geographical angle the amalgamation would enable the combined district to be worked much more economically than was at present the case. The people living in both the suburban areas concerned in many cases owned properly in the city or worked in the city. Therefore their interests were common. The excessive rate charged in Mount Eden could be carried by the city without embarrassment, because the annual valuation of Mount Eden was only £327.450, compared with the city's annual valuation of over £2,7(i0,000. In that connection an expenditure of £10,000 in Mount Eden represented 7.3d, while over the combined area it represented only .78d. Incorrect Statements. "A great array of figures has been produced in opposition to amalgamation," said Mr. Hutchison. "Many arc incorrect and others based on unfair premises. For instance, it has been quoted that the loan Indebtedness of the city is £39 per head of the population, against Mount Eden's £37. To place the position with fairness it should be pointed out that the loan and overdraft indebtedness of the city is £39 per capita—the same as that of Mount Eden; but this is the vital point: The city's indebtedness per capita of ratepayers is £158, while Mount Eden's indebtedness per capita of ratepayers is £187. Then again the value of the city's assets per capita of population is £49 and per capita of ratepayers £195, against afount Eden's £25 and £121 respectively. Assets in the form of streets and drainage undertakings are excluded, and these in the case of the , city have cost £3,153,000. Apart From Rates. 'The city has a revenue, apart from ' rates, of over £500,000 per annum. Mount Eden has only £15,935 and Mount Albert £17,371. These figures are arguments which should reassure the city ratepayers that they need not view with alarm the amalgamation proposals."

Mr. Hutchison said he would deal fully with the whole question at a meeting tomorrow night which he had been invited to attend. He would include in his remarks the City Council's attitude in respect to the water undertaking.