AMALGAMATION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12305, 20 April 1937, Page 3

AMALGAMATION

MOUNT AND BOROUGH CONFERENCE AT TAURANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL AND TOWN BOARD A conference to discuss the amalgamation question, as set out in the Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill, was held in the .Tauranga Borough Council Chambers yesterday, when there were present the Mayor, Mr L. R. Wilkinson, Crs D. Matheson, T. E. Youngman, A. J. Gallagher, F. J. Allely, W. McKinnon, A. N. lies, and Mr R. B. Shearman, representing the Tauranga Borough Council; Mr C. J. West, Chairman, and Messrs W. H. Howard, M. T. Larkins, C. B. Miller, L. Norris and Donald Bain, representing the Mount Maunganui Town Board.

The Mayor presided and explained that the object of calling the conference was to discuss the question of amalgamation as between the Tauranga Borough and the Mount Maunganupi Town District. He invited those present to express their views. Mr West, Chairman of the Mount Maunganui Town Board, said that from the Mount view it was a matter of what the Borough of Tauranga had to offer to the Mount in regard to bringing in the latter. The main requirements at the Mount were water and sewerage. He asked how the Borough was prepared to supply water and what would be the cost. If the Mount township became partof the borough it would be rated for

water and if it were rated separately for it there would be no advantage in joining the borough. IE the Mount came in he took it that area would have representation. The Mount was eighteen miles by road from Tauranga, but if they had a harbour bridge that would alter the position. The Mount required improved reading. If they joined up they would want an assurance that the Mount would be looked after and pushed ahead. The Mount was a decided asset to Tauranga and was becoming a Dominion asset. If they

could get the things . they warned | and also fair representation, it would be an advantage to join with the borough. Mr L. Norris stated he was right out for amalgamation. Tauranga was now holding the Mount domain, the beaches and the borough water supply. He thought amalgamation would be advantageous to the Mount and he was in favour of the borough taking over the town district. Mr Miller spoke in favour of amalgamation, as it would cut down overhead expenses. The question of raising loans, however, would - require consideration. He asked, would borough ratepayers sanction loans for the Mount. Mr West reiterated that the main question was water for the Mount, and what would be the cost. Cr lies, Deputy-Mayor, said it was agreed that the Mount’s interests were Taurahga’s interests. The interests of both places were identical. If the Mount were to grow it would mean increased expenditure. A large area at the Mount was owned by people on this side of the harbour. In respect to a water supply he took it that the Mount would be rated on

precisely the same basis as Tauranga. Sewerage would be in a different category. Only a portion of the borough was served by sewerage and that area paid a special rate. He favoured amalgamation, but did not think the borough would gain fiiiau-: daily by it. Amalgamation would promote the progress of both areas. He suggested, if the meeting favoured amalgamation, that the full details could be considered by each local body and later submitted to the Minister of Internal Affairs for his approval. The Mount was making progress and he thought all buildings should be under a proper scheme. The borough was considering a tow r n planning scheme and that could also apply to the Mount. Amalgamation would promote the progress of both localities.

Cr McKinnon considered they should put out of their minds the question of any bargaining. He thought that everything that would be sanctioned would be on an equitable basis. He urged a broad outlook on the .whole matter. Since the formation of the Mount town district it was claimed that there had been progress. He strongly supported amalgamation. Cr Youngman thought the Mount Maunganui ' representatives had placed their views in a reasonable way. He agreed that the interests of the two bodies were identical. There was nothing, as far as he could see, that should prevent amalgamation.

Mr Howard said it appeared that the ratepayers of each district had no say on the question of amalgamation. One of the big handicaps against working together was the intervening distances between the two places of eighteen miles by road and three and a-half miles by water. If loan moneys were raised for improvements in the southern portion of the borough the Mount ratepayers would be asked to pay. There was a feeling amongst a section of Mount people against amalgamation. He thought they had much to gain by amalgamation, but they should not he too hasty. The Mayor urged that the question of amalgamation should be approached from a broad point of view. Mr West pointed out that eighteen miles by road separated Tauranga and the Mount and he thought” the matter of ward representation would require consideration. He asked if there was anything against separate representation for the Mount on the Borough Council. He thought it was required and would hold out for it. It would be very necessary to have Mount residents oh the Council in order to be fully conversant with Mount requirements. Cr McKinnon dwelt on the need for providing shade at the Mount. He had been told it was nobody’s business. Good shade should have been provided years ago. At present there was a borough resident on the Mount Maunganui Town Board', and he thought that he was a good member.

The Mayor moved- —■ That the Mount Maunganui Town Board be asked to submit to the Tauranga Borough Council the terms on which the Mount would be prepared to amalgamate. Cr Youngmun thought the question of representation could be met by the ward system. The Mayor replied that the ward system would introduce a spirit of parochialism. Cr lies thought the motion was on right lines but suggested that it be altered to the effect that the Mount people consider details and the Borough do likewise; then, that the two local bodies confer further. He was opposed to the ward system and did not think it would be in the interests of the Mount. If amalgamation ensued the Mount would be Tauranga, and Tauranga would be the Mount. The two places would then be one. He suggested that the Mount should have direct representation on the Council in tjie first three years. He agreed that details should be considered and there was nothing to gain by adopting rush tactics. He ■was not familiar with the valuation and the rating at the Mount. Cr Gallagher thought the meeting should record that it was in favour of amalgamation, but this was not submitted as a proposition to vote upon. It was then agreed that the Mayor’s motion be altered to read - That the two local bodies be asked to submit conditions on which they would be prepared to amalgamate. Cr Mathesou agreed with the mo-

tiou. Full knowledge was required in regard to water supply, sewerage, reading and lighting. He did not like the ward system, but he thought the spirit of “the little brother” should be kept in mind if amalgamation resulted. Mr Howard said the Town Board had been pressing for a re-valuation. A revaluation would mean doubling the valuation of many properties at the Mount. Mr West did not think a motion approving of amalgamation should be adopted at the present meeting. He desired to place the question before his ratepayers. The Mayor’s motion, as altered, was put and carried unanimously. It was agreed that the conference be adjourned till May 17. Mr Howard thanked the borough representatives for the cordial reception accorded the Mount delegates. The Mayor thanked the members of the Mount Manuganui Town Board for conferring with the Council, and the meeting then closed.