AMALGAMATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1912, Page 3

AMALGAMATION.

BOROUGH COUNCIL AND RIVER BOARD. MAYOR REPLIES TO STATEMENTS. A matter which has been before the ratepayers of Lower Hutt for some time now, is the suggested amalgamation between the Lower Hutt Borough Council and the Hutt River Board, which exercises solo control over the Hutt River. There was a rather lengthy argument at the council meeting last evening, when the Mayor (Mr. Bunny) moved in accordance with notice of motion as follows :—": — " That the Borough Council con- ! sider the question of approaching the River Board with a Anew of vesting the powers of the board and the control of the Hutt River within ite jurisdiction in the council." In speaking to this, Mr. Bunny 6aid that the matter had been beforethe ratepayers for a long time, and it was a necessary move in order to reduce expenditure. The only question for consideration was whether or not the time had arrived for amalgamation. As solicitor to the board, he was appealed to some time back, and he gave his- opinion that amalgamation' could not be brought jbout except by special legislation. That was still the position. In 1908 he reported adversely to the board on the proposal, becaii&o there was then no chance of getting it through the council, which was in the midst of' ite drainage difficulties. The matter should be considered immediately now, for ' it would be nine or ten months before the council could enter upon control, and by then it hoped to have all drainage works completed. The control of the river, continued the speaker, was of first importance to the district. It had been reported that there was a big rise in the bed ,of the river, and thie would need serious attention, which the council would be in a position to give. There was no doubt that the board had done very good work, and there appeared to be little more to do now than maintain the existing protective works. There was, therefore, no need for two separate staffs. "I have no intention of pressing this matter," said Mr. Bunny, "if we meet with any opposition from the board, but I have simply brought it forward for free and open discussion. It is only natural that, m taking a step such as this, I lay myself open to criticism. Indeed, I notice that already a member of the I board has given notice to aek several questions at next meeting, which, I feel, cast some reflection on me. One relatee to the amount which I have received as solicitor. , These sort of attacks go a little too far, and they are not fair to me, who, like many others, have the interests of the district at heart. There has been a great deal of legal work done in connection with the board, and I wish to say that no other solicitor would have done it as cheaply ac it has been done. The amount I received has been mentioned very often, but the : amount which I have saved to the board has not. That is the unfair part, and that is why I feel compelled to speak as I do now. I do not like referring to this matter here, and I must aek councillors to excuse me for doing so._ I have always taken these attacks quietly, but there is a limit to all things. (Hear, hear.) The motion is now open for discussion." t IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. Councillor Ball said the step proposed was in the right direction. He was convinced that the council could manage the affairs of the board more economically; dual control was-not ; in the best interests of the borough. He would therefore advise that the council approach the River Board at once. "Wfe have all the jatepayers behind us," he concluded. / Councillor Clendon asked whetheithere would be any big expenditure needed in the upper district. If so it was. a debatable point as to whether the council should be saddled with the responsibility. The Mayor : "I have not heard of any Contemplated expenditure. Anyhow, jf it is a matter of necessity the council may just as well spendthe money as the River Board. It will fall on the same ratepayers." OTHER DISTRICTS INTERESTED. A reminder was given by Councillor Roots that there were other districts besides Lower Hutt interested. There was, for instance, Petone and the Hutt I County. Would not they have to be ! considered seeing that they contained big ratepayers? He also mentioned, as a late member of the River Board, the danger which some of the protective works were in. A loan, he thought would be required sooner or later. WHAT WOULD BE THE SAVING? Councillors Kempthorn and Stevenson spoke in favour of the proposal. The latter held that it would be useless to push amalgamation unless the ratepayers were to benefit by a substantial saving of money. * The Mayor replied that the district would be saved at least £200 or £250 per year, a sum worthy of consideration these times. Finally, on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Hawthorn, it was decided to inform the River Board, that the council would support an amalgamation. This, it was explained, would leave the next step to the board, i