A COMBINED MUNICIPALITY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 15, 2 June 1880, Page 2

A COMBINED MUNICIPALITY.

It is satisfactory to note that our suggestion, in reference to a combined municipality for Hawera and Normanby, has been discussed in a friendly manner at both places. After the conclusion of the business in reference to the Town Hall and Institute, on Wednesday evening at Normanby, the Chairman (Mr. C. E. Gibson) brought the subject of forming a Town Board before the meeting. Of course, nothing could be done, but Messrs. Qttin, Robson, and one or two others, thought that the better course would be to combine with Hawera and form a strong municipality. Those who are living in the cross streets in both towns would like to see something done to enable them to get passsble streets and footpaths formed. At present, some parents have to keep their children away from school, rather than run the risk of having them afflicted with diphtheria or other diseases. Even the main street in Normanby, Mr. Gibson stated, had to be kept in something like a passable condition by a few individuals. As he very justly observed, they cannot always do that, nor would it be right to expect that they should do so. If the subsidies were still continued, the formation of a Town Board might, to a certain extent, do away with the necessity of such an outlay on the part of a few persons: But would the revenue to be derived from the rates enable a Town Board to keep the cross streets in repair ? We fear not, juding from the condition of the cross streets in Hawera, although, the Town Board has reserves, which it would not be easy for a newly-formed body to get just at the present time. The true remedy, in our opinion, is amalgamation. There will be sources of revenue, when a Borough is formed, which Town Boards cannot possess. As a preliminary step, we would suggest that Normanby should appoint a committee of thrpe persons, and the Hawera Town Board a similar number, to confer as to the best way of effecting such an amalgamation. The rates collected in each place might be spent there, less a share of the general working expenses. The same principle has been adopted by the Manawatu County Council, and, to our own knowledge, it has been found to work very well. As Hawera possesses the larger population, and would, consequently, be entitled to more representatives, substantial guarantees would have to be given to the residents of Normanby that they should be justly dealt with, and that they should not be overridden by the mere force of numbers. But no petty jealousy ought to be allowed by the people of either township to stand in the way. Eivalry exists in all communities where there is any public spirit, but it ought not to be the means of keeping people asunder, when they may join together to advance their mutual interests. We believe that an amal- j gamation would be beneficial to both places, and it is on that account, and on no other, that we ask the people to meet, and delioerate over the matter. If nothing comes of tbe conference we propose, no harm, at all events, will be done to anybody, and no interests will suffer thereby.

[Since the above was put in type, a resolution has been unanimously adopted by the Hawera Town Board for the appointment of a committee to inquire as to whether Hawera can be incorporated into a Borough. There was an inclination expressed ori the part of the members for an amalgamation with Normanby, but, as Mr. King, the mover in the matter, pointed out, they would not force it in any way. Certainly, voluntary action is always best.]