THE ARGUTfIENTS AGAINST

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 51, 28 August 1920, Page 5

THE ARGUTfIENTS AGAINST

There was- a large attendance of electors at the Miramar Town Hall last night, when the Mayor (Mr. S. M. Stone) spoke very strongly against the proposal that the borough amalgamate with the city. „ Referring to Ivarori's amalgamation with the city, Mr. Stone stated that Karori's position and Miramar's position differed materially: Certainly the city had agreed to take over the tramway loans of both boroughs in the event of amalgamation, but as. Miramar's tramways were now showing a profit, the relief to the rates would be very small indeed—less than fd in the £. Dealing with the question of overhead charges, he pointed out that the percentage of cost as a charge of the revenue in the case of the Borough Council was 11.8 per cent., as against 13.6 per cent.' in the case of the city. These figures were taken from the. published estimates of the city for the current financial year. I(f amalgamation took place it was obvious that as in the cases of Karori and Onslow the present staff maintained by the borough would be still employed by the city, and quite likely exclusively engaged on Miramar work, but whereas at present one man might do several classes of work, it was the city's practice to have a small army of officials each with the duty of seeing that a particular bylaw was obeyed. Referring to the question of tramways, the Major pointed out that under amalgamation" the fixing of fares and time-tables would be left to a body upon which Miramar would be fortunate if it were represented by one member out of sixteen. As to electric light, residents now obtained current at the same scale of charges as residents of the city, and according to an agreement between the borough and the city the charge to Miramar residents would always be the same as that paid by city consumers. Coming to finance, Mr. Stone stated that borough residents at present enjoyed the various city public utilities and conveniences, the upkeep of which was borne by the city, and on the city estimates for this year the sum of £25,000 had to be found'to maintain such things as the Zoo, Williams Park, Technical School, and reserves generally. Under amalgamation the borough would have to pay a share of this large annual expense.

At the conclusion of his address Mr. Stono answered a number of questions, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.