ROSLYN AMALGAMATION QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 14964, 26 August 1912, Page 1

ROSLYN AMALGAMATION QUESTION.

TO THE r.niTOH. Sir. — Mv attention lias been drawn to a letter that appeared in a recent issue n: Tour paper tdgned "Da!more Resident, in which he mentions the marked improvemerits that have been made in Daimore since the North-east Valley amalgamated with the Citv. 1 have lived in that localilv for two years, and thinking that the special work he mentions may have escaped mv notice. I took a. walk a round the various streets for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the improvements he credits to the result of amalgamation with (he City. I could hnd none. In Dalmore there arc 56 chains of streets. Three street lamps are provided, and arc considered by the City Council to be sufficient for the whole of this settlement. Three of the streets and a greater portion of the main one are at night time in total darkness. The footpaths arc not yet asphalted, nor have anv kerbing or channelling been done. The action of (he storm water has cut the side gutters to a considerable depth, and in their pre-ect. state they are a positive danger to anyone using them after dark, and more especially those on which no lamps are provided.

There nrc between 70 and 80 hou?«s in Dalmorc, and the amount collected iu rates, exclusive of water, drainage, and ;-,-mitary fee?, is approximately £2lO. In return 'for this amount the City Corporation dress our footpaths with a slight sprinkling of screenings afa-vut twice a rear, and occasionally send a fiurfaoemau to clear obstructions from the gutters. The balance of the money goes into the Citv treasury for, I presume, the upkeep of 'the main streets and other improvements within the City proper, or probably towards the cost of admimstrati/.-n.

The ratepayers in Roslyn r<li, if they are so foolish as to carry the proposed question of amalgamation, suffer the sameexperience, for the reason that the City can only elect 21 members to the council isee Municipal Act), and cannot add to that number. Roslyn's quota, if amalgamation is carried, will be, after the present term expires, one member. It trill lose direct representation on the Harbor. Hospital and Charitable -Aid, and Domain Boards, and will have a very small chance of securing representation on the Drainage Board. The borough, now well and favorably known as Roslyn. will, in fact, lose its "identity; and this is the position your correspondent who signs himself " Dalmore Resident" is inviting the residents of Roslyn to place themselves in. I may state that the principal (I think the only) factor that" caused the majority of the residents of North-east Valley to vote for amalgamation with the City was a permanent water supply.—l am, etc.. Baimojsm. Auguet 23.