AMALGAMATION

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 14, 28 August 1930, Page 7

AMALGAMATION

COUNCIL UNANIMOUS

At its meeting on Monday night the Lower rHutt Borough Council unanimously decided to give the electors an opportunity to vote on the question of 'amalgamation between Petone and Lower Blutt Boroughs at the next general election in April, provided the cJet-tois of' LVtono tire given a similar

opportunity

In moving the resolution, the Mayor said tliat at the last municipal election the electors y ere ,s>i\uii tho a>sinvanc<' that they Avould bo given the opportunity of considering the issue. At the recent joint mooting of the two councils a previous resolution had been affirmed that neither council should undertake any work of magnitude in the respective boroughs without consull ing 1 with "the sister borough. He thought the time w:u. opportune to place the matter before tho people and to .allow tihem to express an opinion on the issue, as it had frequently been discussed duTing elections.

In seconding the motion Cr. Hobibs said that he had been in favour of amalgamation for 20 years as he believed it would be to the benefit of both boroughs. The conditions at the present time were particularly favourable as the populations of the tiro boroughs are as near equal as they are ever likely to be. He was of the opinion that should tie poll be taken it should be on 'the understanding thajt tjhe change. should not take place until two years later, so that each, borough would have time to make the adjustments.

Or. Patrick/said, he did not think all the talk and figures would get them anywhere. There was no question about it that there should be only one governing body in this valley. Now

was the most opportune time and without doubt Lower Hutt would outstrip Petone in the matter of population for the next few years. He supported the

resolution,

Cr. Campbell considered that whether the present proposals were accepted or rejected amalgamation, was inevitable and that natural,sequences would bring it about. He was in favoivr of the poll but urged that the ratepayers should have full opportunity of becoming acquainted with the amalgation report before being asked to vote on the issue. He considered that the prseent time was most opportune. He foresaw that whilst Petone- would become the industrial and main shopping centre. the Lower Hutt and the upper valley would become the residential centre of a great city. The name might present some difficulties and the question of civic centre would ihave to be decided, bfct he thought both diffiulties could be overcome. Although he did not expect any great economy from amalgamation it would result in greater effici-

ency.

Cr. Grierson said that it. would be for the betterment of both boroughs, if amalgamation came about. They we're already co-operating on the larger qiie.stions and they should be alble to come-together on the smaller ones also.^

Crs. Mitchell, Boyd and Meldrum eacih strongly supported the motion and considered that the present was the-most opportune time to place the question before the electors. •

The motion was carried unanimously.