PROPOSED AMALGAMATION.
CONFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIVES. At tho Borough Council rooms last evening a conference took place on tho projected amalgamation of tiie borough and suburbs. There were present:' The Mayor (Mr Townley), Chairman of Whataupoko ltoad Board (Mr Matthews), Chairman of Haiti Road Board (Mr Matthewson), Crs Harding, Bright, Lysnar, Morrison, Hepburn, Whinray, Jones, and Miller, Messrs A. F. Bridges, F. Harris, Orr, F. Bull. The Mayor said the Councillors had not
any authority to do anything at present, or to lay any proposals before those present, hut were there rather to hear what would bo said. The representatives would know the terms of the Act, and tho steps to he taken. Mr Matthewson said they saw a prospect of a large sanitary and waterscheme being carried, and they considered that now was the time to offer to throw
in their lot with the borough. They were satisfied that amalgamation was good for the road districts, and it was equally so
for the borough. Thoy did not want to take any advantage of the borough, hut to come in on equitable lines. On sentimental lines it would bo an advantage without detriment to anybody. Under an extended organisation they could have a more efficient staff to carry out larger works. They wanted to obtain the fullest information before approaching the ratepayers. AVould the borough admit them on fan-and equitable lines ? They desired to have a powerful, influential borough, and
not go on splitting up their forces as was the fashion in other places. The borough should take rank as one of the best second rank boroughs in New Zealand. They were satisfied that financially the amalgamation would bo mutally advantageous. Tho figures were undoubtedly correct in the main ; thoy had been submitted to such an able accountant as Mr Coleman. The loans would have to remain until later on, when they could see their way to having a consolidated loan.
Cr Lysnar proposed : If the ratepayers desire it, and tho legal formalities are complied with, this conference sees no reason why the suggested areas of Whataupoko and Haiti Road Boards should not bo amalgamated with tho Borough of Gisborne, upon tho following conditions :
1. That each of the three districts aro to remain liable for all indebtedness chargeable against those undivided districts or portions thereof at tho time of amalgamation.
2. That at tho first convenient time, without going to the expense of having an entirely new election, tho number of Borough Councillors shall be extended to 12, instead of 9, as at present.
3. That after a fair allownnco for general administration, the ordinary net revenue to bo derived from each of the three separate portions proposed to be amalgamated, shall bo expended in each respective portion finally amalgamated. 4. That should any of the Borough Council by-laws as at present constituted be unsuitable for the over-river portions amalgamated or any portions thereof, then steps to be taken to limit tho operation of such bye-laws so far as may, be deemed necessary or expedient from time to time. 5. That the suggested boundaries for amalgamation are subject to alteration by the ratepayers of the respective districts. In support of the motion, he said that the resolution with the facts already before tho Council did not call for any comment from him. The principle was merely if the ratepayers desired it and the formalities wore complied with. The provision that the borough funds should ho in no way touched upon was perhaps the most important part of the motion, no such funds to be transferred except so far as administration was concerned. All the by-laws, such as that referring to pigs, would not be applicable to all parts. The question as to the amount that the City Council would require had been left indefinite. Ho had gone into the matter with Mr Warren, County Clerk, and he had stated that the oxtreme amount would be £6OO. Whatever it was, they would not ask the borough to take any liability. The amalgamation would mean additional strength to the borough, which would be in no way prejudiced. He could not see that any objection could be raised against it by the borough. If the road districts got too clamorous for the expenditure of money, that could bo regulated by the revenue obtainable.
In reply to Cr Harding, Cr Lysnar said the Act did not restrict them as to the number of members. Cr Bright: It is regulated by the Governor.
Cr Lysnar read the sections of the Act, and added that three new members oi the Council could be appointed by the Governor without the expense of an election.
Cr Jones : The difference would he that none of the road district members would be elected by ratepayers ; Councillors would be elected by the extended franchise of householders.
Mr Mathewson said the committee had considered that point, and was quite willing to leave it to the good faith of the Council, no new members being elected until the annual general election. The motion was seconded pro forma by Cr Whinrav.
Mi' Matthew said the annual meeting of the Whatanpoko Hoad float'd had been withhold foe the purpose of obtaining information to lay before the ratepayers. They wanted ail the information the Council could give them to lay before the ratepayers, lie thought they were a little premature. Large works were being considered by the Council, but there seemed to be considerable difference of opinion as to where the money was to conic from. They could soon make a conclusion on that matter if that information was before them. By the Act he believed that the borough need only expend a third of the revenue on the out-districts. They should also have some information as to the cost of administration. The County Council had been charging them nearly half of what they were” collecting for administration. He did not say the borough would do that, but-thev should not take a leap in the dark, lie considered the matter was purely one for the ratepayers to decide; they ' should not be too hurried in the matter, but give the ratepayers all information, and then lot them decide. The Mayor said at present the borough had their hands full, and it took them all their time to keep the streets in order ; so that the road districts could not hope to
improve their finances much by amalgamation. The cost of administration would not be great, and there might be a more cflicient staff.- At present the borough had a great deal to do, and not a great deal to do it with. Speaking from a borough point of view, lie thought they had as much in hand as they could manage at present. Ho did not see how the water and drainage could affect the overriver districts. They would only ho supplied at a comparatively large cost, and they had no report yet on that. The whole question was one of finance : if that could be improved by amalgamation that would be a very good reason. At present the over-liver districts could not benefit by the borough funds. Cr Bright agreed with Mr Matthews; the matter should not bo gone on with too rapidly. There were other important questions besides finances. lie failed to see why the boundaries should remain as at present and the by-laws become ineffective when a certain line was crossed. They should give all the strength they could to the borough, but they must deal with the matter very carefully. The public health was a very important thing to consider. Though the borough had supplied the larger proportion of preventiblo diseases, that was, lie thought, because tho borough had been longer settled, and in course of time the suburbs would be no better off in that respect if the system of disposing of household slops and refuse wore continued. He would propose an amendment, as follows : “ That this Conference is of opinion that it is desirable that the boundaries of the Borough of Gisborne should be extended by including a portion of tho Koad Districts of Whataupoko and Kaiti, and that a Committee consisting of Messrs Mathewson and Bridges, representing Kaiti, Matthews and Lysnav, representing Whataupoko, and the Mayor and Councillor Whim-ay and the mover, representing tho Borough, be sot up to arrange all preliminaries, and generally to further the proposal with their respective bodies ; to report to further meeting.” Continuing, Cr Bright said that if it was desired to have amalgamation it would be much more economical to have tho over-river districts ■ included at the outset as to have them brought in afterwards.
C'r Lysnar seconded the amendment, and withdrew the motion. lie said that it was not correct that a borough need only spend a third of the revenue derived ; they could have a specific deed, but they did not require deeds, as all were one—their interests were identical. They should not have needless delay, and the Council, having the knowledge that the suburbs were desirous of coming in, should keep that in view in their scheme of works. As for the schemes now before the Council he would do his best to oppose his over-river property being saddled for schemes that he believed would not bo fruitful.
Mr Bridges urged that amalgamation would advance any scheme for water and drainage, as borough people were mainly residential in the suburbs. With the Council committee they could bring the question to a finality, and probably greater respect would be given to the proposal by tlioso who perhaps had not given it great consideration.
Cr Harding was entirely in sympathy with the motion, provided they wore not going to hang up water and drainage for Gisborne. The ratepayers wore getting wearied at the way things were proceeding. They could get an idea of the cost of the water and drainage scheme for Gisborne, but had no information as to what tlie cost would bo for the suburbs. They should try and place something tangible before the ratepayers of Gisborno as to water and drainage, and not have further delay in that respect. Cr Whim-ay approved of the motion. Cr Harding : The question is, How long will it take ?
Cr Lysnar : Oh, it won't take long. Mr Matthewson said their groat desire was to participate in the improvements, but they would not want the borough to pay for that. Ho was not frightened of the ratepayers on the Haiti, as Mr Matthews appeared to be in regard to his ratepayers. He thought no scheme should be completed without the suburbs being included. By the extended scheme the burden of the borough would be lightened. Mr Matthews said that he was not afraid of any ratepayers—he had had a vote of censure passed on him. (Laughter.) But he did want to have all informatio i placed before the ratepayers, the disadvantages as well as the advantages, so til it a fair judgment could be made. Cr Miller said he thought the committee would get over Mr Matthews’ objection. The suburbs should bo a great help to the borough. Take the road-making plant, for instance : by combining it would 1 c good for all. lie hoped, also, that in time the water supply scheme would be extended to the over-river districts. Ho commended the spirit in which the rorcl district representatives had brought tt o matter before them.
In reply to Cr Havdiug, the Mayor said that the motion would not in any way commit the Council, or hang up any works before the Council —at least, not at present. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Matthews thanked the Council, and the meeting closed.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 159, 17 July 1901, Page 3
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1,949PROPOSED AMALGAMATION. Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 159, 17 July 1901, Page 3
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