GREATER CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10214, 9 December 1898, Page 3

GREATER CHRISTCHURCH.

SOME OPINIONS TO THE PROPOSAL,

No. VI.—THE MAYOR OF ST,

ALBANS,

In continuation of the interviews with the Mayors of Boroughs, etc., » member of the "Press" staff met Mr H. J. Davey, the Mayor of St. Albans.

His Worship, in connection with statistics, said: The area of our borough is 1500 acres.; we have 5825 population, and 1185 ratepayers. The general rate of 1897-8 on a £250 property was £1 19s 2d, and for 1898----9 £1 14s 3d, the Council reducing this much on increased Unfortunately, however, this did not reduce the Waimakariri, charitable, or drainage rates.

What is your opinion with regard to the amalgamation scheme?

Well, I must say at the present time* I am opposed to amalgamation with the city.

For what reasons?

My principal reason is on account of the increased cost of management. At the present time the cost of management in the city is considerably more than it is in St. Albans; and even there it might, without impairing efficiency, be considerably reduced. That reduction will almost necessarily follow an increased population, as no more clerical labour would be needed than for a smaller number. For St. Albans to amalgamate, considering it has an area of 1500 acres, with'about 3| head of population per acre, would be apparently to gain nothing, inasmuch as the population will, judging by the present rate of progress, be doubled witliin ten years. The expenditure of the £23,000 loan which is going on has already temnted people to uuv land in St. Albans, and there is not the slightest doubt that when the necessary works now in hand are completed, the increased and improved sanitation, street flushing, and provision for fire prevention will induce a Is-jq number to settle in the borough. But don't you consider that St. Albans is really naturally only a portion of Christchurch?

Undoubtedly it is. But that fact does not alter the present position, that the cost of management of the two places is so different. St. Albans would not be more closely connected with the city if it did amalgamate The major interests of the two are identical, and would not be benefited or materialiy affected by amalgamation. Do you not think that, supposing the boroughs amalgamated and formed what is called Greater Christchurch, that the expense of management, which s.eems to be your great objection, would be proportionately reduced? c J

Apparently it would and should be so. But I do not think it would be worth while trying what is really, after all, only an experiment, and I wouiu be in favour of letting well alone. I am almost sure that the majority of our ratepayers are against amalgamation. In any case, it would be better to wait until we have spent our lean money, and thus put our borough in order. Yes, that may be; uut don't you think that having put your borough in a good position by the expenditure oi loan money, it would be better for the district as. a whole for St. Albans to join the cityY That would appear to be so. But the whole thing harks back once more to tho cost of management. • I do not wish to appear parochial, but I consider it would bo unwise to amalgamate whilst the ratepayers and- the Council are apparently opposed to it. Neither do I wish tq appear to base my judgment on these reasons. But I am of opinion, after considering the matter and reading the interviews which have already appeared in the "Press," and tho facts and statistics brought out tnereby, that the time is .inopportune. But looking at £he question rather from a district point of view, than a municipal one, don't you think? it would be-a good thing if the Greater Christchurch were thereby enabled to carry out say a complete scheme of drainage, water supply, &c. t So far as the drainage question is concerned,it - Would be a great boon if the system could be completed. As to the water supply. : I consider the cost would be too great to come within the scope of practical municipal politics. At the moment our water supply, is fairly good, and from a fire prevention, point of view our fire brigade system Ms in my experience better than tha majority of water supply systems, from the simple fact, that the force of the latter is not reliable, whilst such a system as the local one is so. This would especially apply to .lofty buildings, where several lines of hoso would bo necessary. But .the water supply would be to a large extent,- so far as you are concerned, mora for household purposes than for fire prevention, as your artesian supply, lite ours, is failing 1 somewhat, would not this be/a great benefit if obtainable by the combination of the city and boroughs? Yes, that would be so, tout I believe that at present the artesian supply is amply sufficient for our household purposes. _Vo water eupnly system would provide water so pure as we are now getting it. A water supply system would be very valuable if, as one of your questions seems to imply, "both that and a drainage scheme were carried out. But would it not be most beneficial if a central system of inspection of meat and' milk, and also control of the abattoirs could be obtained? Could not this be done with amalgamation? Yes, I think it would be decidedly beneficial to have all these matters under one control. But could not this be obtained without amalgamation? For instance, all the meat for the supply of the whole district could bo slaughtered at a centxar_battoir, each botough contributing a fair share towards the cost of maintenance "and control The same principle could be applied to the inspection of milk.

Then X speaking generally,. I gather that your opposition to the scheme is the question of management? Yes. In addition to this, there is also the fact that the ratepayers would not be so closely in touch with their representatives. Now they govern- themselves,-but under amalgamation St. Albans would be governed by the and the representatives of other boroughs, who could not be supposed to' be as cognisant x>f the wants of the district as their local representatives now, are in their own Borough Council. I would suggest, in conclusion, that each borough should form a email local fire brigade, to co-operate with the j_ty in the caso of fires within their respective boroughs. The Superintendent of the City Fire Brigade is of opinion that such auxiliary fire brigades would be a great help in case of fire, especially as their local knowledge with regard to sumps, water supply, &c, would be of great value.