MOUNT ALBERT FINANCES,

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 184, 5 August 1936, Page 6

MOUNT ALBERT FINANCES,

AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL. (To tl>2 Editor.) I noticed a sliort letter in the "Star" tho otjier day suggesting that Mount Albert should join the city and that tho appointment of the Mayor to the position of a magistrate would be a golden opportunity. The appointment is certainly a heavy loss to Mount Albert, as Mr. Fcr'ner is one of the best Mayors we have ever had. but it does not create an opportunity to join the city at all. As a large ratepayer in Mount Albert and Mount Eden, and a ratepayer in tlie city, too, I will strenuously oppose any move towards amalgamation. We have just had a substantial reduction in our rates in Mount Albert, while an increase in the city rates next year is a certainty. The talk about economy is all nonsense. We have our council chambers and an efficient staff pruned down to the barest necessity by a council pledged to economy. It would add to administrative costs rather than reduce them. Again, the city is about to embark 011 a costly housing scheme. The city has already lost thousands of pounds on building houses, but Labour councils will not profit by experience. I am satisfied that if the truth is put before the ratepayers of Mount Albert they will flatly refuse to join the city. All we want is a metropolitan water and drainage board. THREE-FIGURE RATEPAYER.