NO MORE SECESSIONS NEEDED

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 42, 18 August 1930, Page 8

NO MORE SECESSIONS NEEDED

When Petone and Lower Hutt boroughs were in the Water Board, the Wellington City Council had five votes and the five suburban local bodies had five votes (one each). This gave the City Council control by casting vote only, although the City Council was liable for 77.5 per cent of the expenditure. Now that the two most populous suburban boroughs—Petone and Lower Hutt— have voluntarily seceded, the Wellington City Council becomes liable for 93.07 of the expenditure—an overwhelming proportion —and it is proposed to reduce the board's membership from ten to seven, the City Council to have four votes and the three remaining suburban bodies (Upper Hutt borough, Eastbourne borough, and Hutt county) one each, or three votes in all. That is to say, the City Council would increase its board majority from a casting vote to one member vote (4-3), and its liability from 77.5 per cent, to 93.07 per cent. The arrangement seems to be a not unfair one, and it was endorsed at the Water Board meeting this morning, the Eastbourne and Hutt county representatives concurring, while the Mayor of Upper Hutt (Mr. P. Robertson) will submit the proposal to his council. It is to be hoped that he will be able to induce the Upper Hutt Borough Council to agree, for there have been too many secessions already, and it is likely that the future holds possibilities that will make membership of the Water Board well worth while. Both topographically and otherwise, Upper Hutt is very closely associated with the Hutt basin forests, and is directly interested in their conservation, and in their reasonable utilisation (which will be found to cover far more than merely water .supply). In his association with the Water Board Mr. Robertson has shown public -vision and a non-parochial spirit, and it is to be hoped that his councillors will back him. ■