NOLANTOWN MERGER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 May 1925, Page 11

NOLANTOWN MERGER.

COMMISSIONERS’ A RGUMENTS.

IN FAVOUR OF RECOMMENDATION. In the statement of the commissioners who heard evidence in connection, with the Nolantown merger proposal the following are some of the reasons given by them in support of thenrecommendation : “Much evidence was taken m relation to the borough’s water supply m view of the possible merger, but we were unable to see, as we were invited to see And find, that there was any reason for denying or delaying the inclusion of Nolantown in the borough. It was clearly proved that the only practicable scheme of water supply m sight for Nolantown is connection with the Hawera Borough mains. This being so, it seems to us that it is fairer and better for Nolantown to be part of the borough than* for it to be still an unattached community when a poll is taken on a question of such vital importance to Nolantown as the duplication of the water mains. -Furthermore, whether Nolantown residents in the future approach the controlling body of Hawera’s water supply .for the best that can be done under-existing conditions, or for partial or complete reticulation following on an increased water supply, their chances of favoured treatment will be increased rather than decreased by the fact that they ask as burgesses and not as an outside community. “The sanitary conditions of the area are very unsatisfactory. Sanitary science lists passed its experimeiitcil stage, and its principles do. not depend for their justification on the presence, or absence of epidemic disease in some limited area and over some limited period of time. These principles are: amply justified by . the experience of civilised communities all over the world, and when applied to public as. distinguished ' from individual and' family interests are such that it would be " almost criminal to neglect thenwarning. When a disease broke out it would then be too late to learn what is now accepted by all responsible governing bodies as a well-established truth and practice. “We respectfully recommended that no poll be taken." On a poll property interests may be expected to be more active than' community interests. Absentee owner’s and speculative owners; of vacant land are personally and directly entitled to vote, whilst children and others more particularly at. the mercy of sanitary conditions are represented vicariously and .sparsely.”